Since the start of flood season this year, heavy rainfall, strong floods and ensuing landslides and mudslides have battered?many provincial regions in south China, especially Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan, according to a statement of NCDR.

At the same time, east China coastal regions bracd for strong gales and heavy rains as tropical storm Meari moves closer for landing from June 26,211. Thousands of people have been evacuated amid storm-triggered floodings.

Heavy rains along the Yangtze River in the past few days have caused water level in Taihu, the country's second largest freshwater lake, to rise above the warning level, the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters (SFDH) said on June 26.

Figures from the?office show that the latest round of heavy rains have affected 4.12 million people and forced the evacuation of 142,000 people in 13 provinces in China. The direct economic losses have amounted to 1.56 billion yuan (241 million U.S. dollars).