370,000-plus affected in central China downpours

Heavy rain in central China's Hunan province had left four missing and affected 375,100 residents as of 9:00pm Thursday, local authorities said.

The rain has affected 75 villages and towns in seven cities and counties of Hunan, including the famous tourist town of Fenghuang. About 9,330 people were forced to relocate and 216 houses collapsed, according to the province's flood prevention and drought control headquarters.

Railways, highways and country roads were blocked in the downpours, which also damaged electricity, communications, water facilities, and crops.

According to the local meteorological department, the latest rain will continue for another three days.