EIGHT people were killed, at least 66 injured in a thunderstorm that hit central China's Hubei Province yesterday.

Strong wind, heavy rain and hail affected 350,000 people in 10 counties of Dangyang city from Monday night, according to sources with the provincial government.

The extreme weather left eight people dead in their collapsed houses, 66 injured and forced 8,327 to be evacuated.

The disaster has caused 210 million yuan (US$25.9 million) in losses with 10,850 houses and 22,666 hectares of crops destroyed.

The thunderstorm also cut electricity and water supplies and road traffic. In the worst-hit Yuyang County, communications were interrupted for seven hours.

The rain will continue until today, said the provincial Meteorological Bureau.

(Xinhua)