Massive landslides and flooding have hit parts of central China's Hunan Province since Tuesday, causing 70 deaths and an economic loss of 2 billion yuan (US$240 million) so far.

The landslides and flooding were caused by excessive, heavy rainfall, unseen for years in this region, which affected the cities of Chenzhou, Hengyang, Yongzhou and Zhuzhou with populations totaling 3.5 million and farmland totaling 2.3 million hectares, according to sources with the local government.

This is the fiercest flood the regions have experienced since 1998, according to Feng Jin, an official with the provincial government.

Among the 29 large and middle-sized reservoirs in Chenzhou, 14 are overflowing due to rainstorms.

Feng assured that major cities in Hunan will be safe in the coming days through efforts by local governments and the People's Liberation Army, although it is predicted parts of Hunan will be struck by more rainfall in the coming two days.

About 45 percent of urban areas in Chenzhou were affected.

The Hunan provincial and local governments have formed emergency teams and have sent officials to the affected areas to organize rescue and relief efforts.

Feng said most of the people surrounded by flood water have been transferred to shelters on higher ground.

Policemen have transferred 2,600 residents in rural areas of Anren County, where 3,200 were stranded, to safe places. Rescue work is still continuing, according to a local report.

The local governments have distributed medicine and sanitary articles to people to prevent epidemic diseases.

Drinking water, food and other life necessities were also given to people in flood-stricken areas, according to Feng.

However, major rivers in Hunan, including the Xiangjiang, Zijiang, Yuanshui and Lishui rivers have not witnessed big floods, according to sources with the local government.

Landslides at Chenzhou also affected transportation along the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway as a section collapsed and another section was submerged by water.

Trains from the north of Chenzhou to Guangzhou in south China's Guangdong Province on Thursday were delayed for two to three hours, according to sources with the Guangzhou Railway Company.

Six trains starting from Guangzhou to the north were temporarily withdrawn on Thursday due to the emergency, affecting thousands of passengers.

It is reported railway authorities in Changsha have adopted effective measures to deal with the disaster.

The Beijiang River of Guangdong witnessed the most serious flood this year, the Guangzhou Daily reported.

Statistics by hydrometric stations along the river all showed water has exceeded warning lines since Wednesday.

No casualties have been reported by press time in the area. Farms of 4,005 hectares have been flooded at Guitou town of Ruyuan County.

In Lechang, over 35,000 officials and residents have assisted in disaster relief. Over 86 percent of the people affected by the flood have been saved while rescuers are doing their utmost to help the remaining people.

While southern China suffers from floods, extensive drought continues to plague much of northern China. Rainfall in east China's Shandong Province over the last two months averaged only 13 millimeters, a steep 85 percent year-on-year drop.

(China Daily August 10, 2002)