WORLD HERITAGE THREATENED

Rains also raised the water levels of many branches of the Yellow River around its middle reaches. The Yellow River Flood Control and Drought Relief Office has ordered the clearing of waterways, evacuation of residents in low-lying areas and intensified monitoring of flood-waters.

Photo taken on July 26, 2010 shows the flooded Ciqikou ancient town in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. [Xinhua]

At least 52 people were killed and another 20 missing in central China's Henan Province as the swollen Yellow River and its branches have taken their toll.

Among the casualties, 37 killed were from Luoyang City, a culture-rich ancient capital and home to the World Heritage Longmen Grottoes.

The 1,500-year old Longmen Grottoes have been closed to public since last Saturday as waters from the Yi River have flooded tourists trails linking the caves.

Wang Qingru, a staff member with the Longmen Grottoes Research Institute, said the Buddha carvings and other cultural relics were not damaged. Authorities planned to re-open the site to public on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Elsewhere in China, authorities on Monday halted train services linking Lhasa, capital city of southwestern China's Tibet Autonomous Region, to the country's east coast as tracks passing through the mountainous area of Shaanxi were at risk from floods and landslides.

In southeast China's Jiangxi Province, firemen and police are wading through knee-deep waters on the streets of the mountainous city of Jinggangshan to prevent further flooding. The city is known as the cradle of the Chinese Communist revolution.

Rainfall over the previous 24 hours reached 160 mm at 8 a.m. Monday and water has risen up to one meter deep in Ciping Town, the seat of the municipal government.