Province, leaving trains canceled.

The downpours began Tuesday with a record 347 mm rainfall. Both Zhangjiajie City and rural areas have reported heavy damage.

Traffic was hindered in flooded streets. Water flowed into schools, department stores, houses and other buildings. A number of factories and hotels stopped operation to bail out the water.

The railway running through the city was forced to close, with two passenger trains canceled and more delayed. Water and electricity supplies were cut off in the area near the railway.

Two provincial highways were closed due to subsidence and landslides.

According to the provincial flood control headquarters, heavy rain has hit northwest, central and south China in the past fortnight. A total of 4.03 million people in 458 townships have been affected.

Weather forecasters predict more rain in the next couple of days.

(Xinhua News Agency June 20, 2002)