Over 100,000 evacuated after heavy rains in China

CHANGSHA - Heavy rains lashed the Hunan province in central China, prompting officials to evacuate over 100,000 people amid threats of flash floods, Xinhua reported Saturday.

Thirty-six counties and cities were affected, and 120,000 people have been evacuated since heavy rains lashed the province Friday, officials said.

Over 2,000 buildings were destroyed and 10,000 homes damaged. There was no report of casualties so far, said a spokesman of the provincial Civil Affairs Department.

The authorities Friday closed the primary and middle schools in the worst hit Taojiang county, affecting 65,000 students.

“The classes will not resume until the heavy rains stop,” said Bai Chaohai, head of the Hunan Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

The National Meteorological Centre (NMC) said Friday the rains would continue till Monday.