Chi tordo, hailstorm toll rises to 99

Beijing, June 26: The death toll from a fierce tordo and hailstorm in Chi’s Jiangsu province rose to 99, with 846 others injured, officials said on Sunday. The deadliest tordo recorded in the area since 1966 was accompanied by strong and gusty winds, heavy rains and hailstorms pummelled through farmland and factories in Yancheng city on Thursday, toppling houses, damaging wire poles and destroying a solar panel factory where hazardous chemicals were stored, Xinhua news agency reported. The city government said 1,591 homeless victims were accommodated in temporary shelters in two counties, and rescuers are rushing to repair electricity, water and telecommunication facilities.   (IANS)