Published: 14:11, July 31, 2024 | Updated: 14:40, July 31, 2024
1.15m people affected by heavy rainfall in Central China's Hunan
By Xinhua
An aerial drone photo taken on July 29, 2024 shows rescuers searching for flood-affected residents near a dike breach in Yisuhe town of Xiangtan county, central China's Hunan province. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

CHANGSHA — Heavy rainfall has affected 1.15 million people in Central China's Hunan province since Friday, leading to direct economic losses of around 6.13 billion yuan (about $859.75 million), local authorities said Wednesday.

Heavy rainstorms from Typhoon Gaemi forced the evacuation of 95,000 people in the province, with 49,800 requiring emergency relief, according to preliminary statistics from the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters.

READ MORE: Thousands evacuated in Hunan flooding

Torrential rains have also battered 107,500 hectares of crops, of which 17,100 hectares have been completely lost.

Currently, Hunan province is maintaining a Level II emergency response for flood, the second-highest level in the four-tier warning system. A total of 78 county-level areas in the province have maintained different levels of emergency response, among which Zixing and Huarong have activated a Level I emergency response for flood.

READ MORE: Beijing on high alert for heavy downpours as 7 dead in Hunan

The provincial meteorological department forecast heavy rains in northwestern Hunan for the next one to two days, advising preventive measures.