11 dead as thousands flee torrential rains in China

Two Chinese men struggle to secure their vehicle from being washed away in the flooded village of Shaoshan, central China's Hunan province yesterday. At least 11 people are dead and 26 are missing after mountain torrents flooded parts of central China, forcing the evacuation of up to 60,000 people, as the Hunan headquarters for flood control and drought relief, reported at least 24 cities and counties in the province were besieged by torrential rains from May 30 to June 1. PHOTO: AFP

The casualties are expected to rise as the rushing stream of water hit early Wednesday when most people were sleeping, Shen Guirong, director of the propaganda department in Xinshao district, Hunan province, told AFP.

"Up to now we have found 11 dead and 26 are missing," he said.

"This figure will probably rise because communications have been cut so it is difficult to get information from all the villages affected."

Xinhua news agency, citing the Hunan headquarters for flood control and drought relief, said at least 24 cities and counties in the province were besieged by torrential rains from May 30 to June 1.