About 110,000 people in the central province of Hunan have been affected by rare winter floods, local flood control and drought relief headquarters said.
As of Sunday, 181 houses have collapsed and more than 8,600 residents in 92 villages and townships have been relocated, according to preliminary statistics.
The meteorological and flood control departments said torrential rains have been battering most parts of Hunan since Nov. 10. Water level of Xiangjiang River, a major river in the province, rose up to seven meters in five days in some sections.
About 90,000 mu (60 square kilometers) of late rice and vegetables in more than 10 villages were flooded, local governments reported.
Local meteorological department forecasts that heavy rainfall will continue in the province during the coming week.
