China has issued a landslide and flood warning over a large part of the southern, central and eastern parts of the country, with heavy rains expected to hit the region until Thursday. National raised the threat level to yellow, its third highest level, with thunderstorms and strong winds expected.
The provinces of Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Anhui and Zhejiang and the southernmost region of Guangxi which have already experienced floods in recent days will receive the most rain, the center said.
Public television channel CCTV showed torrents of water flowing in the streets of mountain towns, taking cars and motorcycles with them. Authorities have warned that the risk is particularly high for children who find themselves swept away by river currents.
This year more than 20 people died and tens of thousands had to be evacuated during the summer floods. Direct losses have already been estimated at more than $ 500 million, with the crucial tourism sector in the southern region of Guangxi being particularly hard hit.
The worst flooding in recent years in China occurred in 1998, when more than 2,000 people died and nearly 3 million homes were destroyed.
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