2.91m residents affected as torrential rains hit Hunan (1/3)

Photo taken on May 14, 2012 shows a house that has been torn down by flood in Pingjiang County, central-south China's Hunan Province. Torrential rain that struck south China since May 11 has affected the daily lives of 2.91 million residents within Hunan as of Monday noon. Direct economic losses caused by the flood reached 2.88 billion yuan (456.2 million U.S. dollars), according to provincial flood control authorities. (Xinhua/Bai Yu)