Four people were killed and five others were missing as an "unprecedented" heavy rainstorm hit a city in central China's Hunan Province on Friday and Saturday.

The rare downpour also forced the evacuation of more than 5,000 people and left more than 10 injured in Hongjiang District, Huaihua City. More than 30,000 people were affected, according to Chen Qun, a district official.

Landslides were reported in 560 places. The rainstorm also toppled 50 houses and damaged 380 others, while power supply and traffic were cut. The heavy rainstorm also left dead more than 10,000 head of livestock and 100,000 poultry.

The direct economic loss from the rainstorm was estimated at 240 million yuan (US$35 million) at least.

Local officials called the rainstorm "unprecedented" in the district. Over the 16 hours ending 7 a.m. Saturday, the precipitation totaled 369.7 mm, while the maximum in an hour closed on 105 mm, according to Chen.

The rainstorm was still continuing Saturday afternoon, raising the water level of the local Wushui River.

Over 140,000 people were mobilized for floods and landslides control and relief work.

(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2009)