Heavy rainfall affects over 400,000 in Hunan province

More than 112,000 residents evacuated, provided with food, emergency supplies

The torrential rains that have pounded northern and northwestern Hunan province since Wednesday have affected more than 400,000 people in seven cities and prefecture-level areas of the province, with more downpours forecast through Tuesday.

Provincial authorities said that the heavy rain triggered the worst flood since 1998 along Hunan's Lishui River, with rainfall reaching 648 millimeters at one of the observation stations.

Urban as well as rural communities have suffered extensive damage, with the sudden flooding submerging shops and homes, leaving thick layers of mud and debris.