Fierce rainstorms that ravaged southern China this week have left at least 65 people dead and affected millions, with more storms forecast for coming days.

As of Friday, the storms had affected up to 2.55 million residents and 100,000 hectares of arable land, left 65 dead and 14 missing, and toppled 9,900 houses, the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said in a statement on its website.

Downpours have battered southern China since Wednesday. The provinces affected include Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Jiangxi, Guangdong and Hunan.

The rainstorms triggered flash floods and mud-rock flows, swollen rivers, burst dikes, threatened reservoirs, and damaged highways, bridges and power and telecommunication facilities.

The office has ordered local authorities to closely monitor the development of rainstorms, prevent disasters like floods and landslides, and provide early warnings.

The office has also dispatched work teams to the storm-hit regions to help in the relief effort.

In Chongqing alone, the death toll has climbed to 31 with another still missing, local authorities said.

In Hunan, about 5,000 reservoirs have been threatened by rising water levels.

Local authorities are relocating residents and repairing damaged facilities.

Strong rains are forecast to pound Jiangxi and Hunan province in coming days, local meteorological authorities said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2010)