WUHAN, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed, and four others are still missing after flash floods caused a river to overflow into a low-lying village in Xuan'en County, central China's Hubei Province, local authorities said Monday.
From Sunday to Monday, heavy rains lashed the Youshui River basin in Xuan'en County, Enshi Prefecture, triggering flash floods and causing the river to overflow into the Baishuihe Village in the low-lying area. Precipitation in one upstream area hit 253.4 mm over the two days.
The village's permanent resident population is 800. Local authorities organized evacuations after flooding struck in the early hours of Monday. A total of 287 villagers from 185 households have been evacuated for safety.
Roads, telecommunications and power supply in the area were all disrupted.
More than 200 rescuers, including police officers, emergency management personnel, firefighters and power supply workers, have been dispatched to the village with satellite phones, kayaks and other emergency relief equipment.
Over 150 of these rescuers have arrived after trekking many kilometers from another village to help with the rescue efforts.
Torrential rains also battered Shimen County in central China's Hunan Province from 7 a.m. Sunday, leaving one person dead and two others missing as of Monday evening, local authorities said.
Authorities in Shimen County have launched evacuations, rescue operations and infrastructure repairs, with a total of 18,406 residents relocated. ■
