LANZHOU, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Heavy downpours in northwest China's Gansu Province have killed one person, authorities said.

More than 20,000 people have been affected by the bad weather, according to the provincial department of civil affairs.

Strong rain mixed with hail damaged more than 800 hectares of crops. As of 4 p.m. Friday, nine counties had suffered from the natural disaster.

More than 300 houses were damaged, the department said.