Heavy rains and floods in China: At least 12 people lost their lives

Heavy rains and floods hit China this week, killing at least 12 people and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate, state media reported.

State broadcaster CCTV reported today that five people were killed and 11 were missing in Shimen County in central China's Hunan Province after heavy rains hit the area. A rescue operation is underway.

By last night, more than 19.000 people had been relocated, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Xinhua said the country had recorded a cumulative rainfall of 339 millimeters in the 24-hour period ending at 7:00 a.m. Monday. One city recorded 240 millimeters of rain in just a few hours, breaking historical records, Xinhua added.

In neighboring Hubei province, streets turned into rivers and rescuers had to use inflatable boats to help trapped residents. Some houses were flooded or collapsed, Xinhua reported. The agency said three people had died and four were missing as of Tuesday morning.

CCTV reported yesterday that heavy rains and flooding have left four people dead and five missing in southwest China's Guizhou province. In parts of the country, homes have been flooded, roads damaged and communications disrupted, the broadcaster said. More than 3.700 people have been evacuated in one area.