A new round of rainstorms have started sweeping central and southwestern China, disrupting post-quake reconstruction in Sichuan Province and flooding parts of Hunan and Hubei provinces.

BLOCKED "LIFELINE" HIGHWAY

A major road to Wenchuan County, epicenter of the Sichuan earthquake in May 2008, has been blocked after floods destroyed two sections of the road, provincial authorities said Tuesday.

Late Monday, rainstorms triggered floods that left two breaks on the No. 213 National Highway in Sichuan Province -- an 80-meter break in Maoxian County and a 70-meter gap in Wenchuan County, said Feng Shuming, spokesman for Sichuan's transport department.

More than 10,000 vehicles run to and from the mountainous quake zone every day on the No. 213 National Highway, commonly known as the "lifeline" for reconstruction.

Hundreds of vehicles are jammed near the breaks.

Construction workers have been sent to repair the road, Feng said.

The road was closed from May 29 to 31 after being damaged by a landslide.

13 RESCUED AFTER BEING STRANDED BY FLOOD

Thirteen people were rescued Tuesday morning after being stranded by flood on the construction site of a highway in Yichang City, Hubei Province, according to a statement from the municipal government.

They were working on the construction site of the highway linking Yichang and Badong, another city in Hubei, at 11:30 p.m. when the water in the nearby Huangbai River rose and surrounded them at three separate spots.

The stranded workers were rescued by a team of more than 270 rescuers six hours later.

The largest rainstorm this year is ravaging Hubei. More than 28 counties and cities in the province are being hit by rainstorms, said a spokesman with the provincial meteorological department.

The Three Gorges Reservoir is discharging water to hold the flood from upper reaches, according to a statement from the China Three Gorges Corporation.

The water level in the reservoir has lowered to 147.47 meters and is still dropping. The reservoir will be able to hold 22.15 billion cubic meters of flood water when it reaches the 145-meter flood-control line.

TOURIST DESTINATION FLOODED

Fenghuang County, or Phoenix County, a renowned ancient town and tourist destination in Hunan Province, has been soaked in water since Monday afternoon.

"The water level is still rising with the pouring rain," said Zeng Wensong, deputy head of the county's publicity department.

Statistics from Hunan's meteorological bureau showed at least 200 townships are hit by rainstorms.

The bureau warned of risks of rain-triggered landslides and more floods in a statement on Tuesday.

In Kashi City, northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, rainstorms and hailstorms have pounded Yingjisha County since Sunday. The storms have damaged large streches of croplands, some dams and houses.

China's National Meteorological Center forecast heavy rains to continue in the coming three days.