Heavy rain continues to batter Southwest China

Heavy rain has continued to batter many parts of Southwest China, resulting in major property damage and widespread evacuations.

In Dazhou County, Sichuan province, torrential downpours have damaged more than 300 houses, leaving more than 200 totally destroyed. At least 1500 hectares of crops have been affected with more than 300 hectares of them completely wiped out. As many as 1700 people have been evacuated across the south, with Ludian County in Yunnan Province among the worst hit.

The continuous downpours are also causing rivers to rise, with China's longest river the Yangtze experiencing this year's first flood peak in the Yibin region. More rain is expected over the next 48 hours in Southwest China, and effective flood prevention and protection work remains crucial.