Local people clean up silt and garbage in Caotan Village of Yantouzhai Town, Guzhang County of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, July 2, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Heavy rainfall has affected more than 95,000 people and forced the relocation and evacuation of over 14,000 others in central China's Hunan Province, local authorities said Sunday.

Torrential rains battered parts of Hunan since Thursday, with the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture experiencing the most severe rainfall, according to the provincial flood and drought control headquarters.

In the prefecture alone, the direct economic losses are estimated to be around 575 million yuan (about 79.5 million U.S. dollars).

In Guzhang and Baojing counties, the most severely affected areas under the jurisdiction of the prefecture, the weather has become clear and the floodwaters has receded. Local officials and residents have been seen working together to resume transportation, electricity, and communication networks.

"I heard the drum beating at around six o'clock in the early morning on Friday. I opened the door and found village officials were beating the drums and alerted the villagers to the flooding. Within just 10 minutes, the floodwaters rose from the doorstep to my knees," recalled Deng Zhongxiang, a villager.

"I haven't seen such a large flood in several decades," Deng added.

Heavy rains also triggered urban waterlogging in Baojing County. The local government mobilized more than 3,000 Party members and officials to help the community with drainage, dredging, and disinfection.

In the relocation sites, food, water, tents and quilts have been provided for the relocated residents.

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