Hundreds of thousands have been forced to evacuate with over 1 million people in total affected in China as heavy rainstorms batter Hunan and Guizhou provinces, with reports of several deaths and mass destruction.
Some 720,000 people from 240 townships in Hunan are now affected, the provincial flood control headquarters said on Tuesday, Xinhua reports. At least 460 homes have been destroyed and 149,400 residents have been relocated.
The ancient town of Fenghang was flooded with more than 120,000 locals and tourists evacuated since Monday night. Multiple temporary settlements have been set up to cater for the displaced people. Power supply in the region has also been cut off, prompting the local hydrographical bureau to issue a red alert, at 10:10 am local time.
By noon Tuesday, Tuojiang River water levels rose 1.1 meters above the usual 2.5 meters. In addition three big reservoirs nearby also reported warnings with cracks, landslides have blocked several highways and caused delays on train routes. Over 100 soldiers have been dispatched for repair work.
The neighboring Guizhou Province has also been hit with torrential rain, with 14 counties and districts flooded.
Nearly half a million people in Guizhou are now affected. Over 21,000 of them being evacuated. At least five people died in a landslide in Zhijin County.