Nearly 7,000 evacuated after heavy rain in central China

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. With the flood gradually receding, the cadres and masses in the affected areas are working hard to ensure the basic needs of the affected people. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

CHANGSHA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Over 50,000 people have been affected, and nearly 7,000 evacuated after heavy rain lashed parts of central China's Hunan Province.

Torrential rain has been battering parts of Hunan since Thursday, with the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture experiencing the most severe rainfall since the flood season, according to the Hunan provincial flood and drought control headquarters on Saturday.

In Xiangxi, the rain has inflicted damage on crops spread over 2,887.1 hectares. It also damaged over 1,300 residences.

On Friday, Hunan province registered the highest hourly precipitation of 137.4 mm since meteorological records began, according to the local meteorological service.

This aerial photo taken on July 2, 2023 shows a view of the residential area in Caotan Village of Yantouzhai Town, Guzhang County of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province. With the flood gradually receding, the cadres and masses in the affected areas are working hard to ensure the basic needs of the affected people. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

A villager clears the mud in his house in Caotan Village of Yantouzhai Town, Guzhang County of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, July 2, 2023. With the flood gradually receding, the cadres and masses in the affected areas are working hard to ensure the basic needs of the affected people. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Villagers gather to have meals at a school in Caotan Village of Yantouzhai Town, Guzhang County of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, July 2, 2023. With the flood gradually receding, the cadres and masses in the affected areas are working hard to ensure the basic needs of the affected people. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Workers repair power facilities in Caotan Village of Yantouzhai Town, Guzhang County of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, July 2, 2023. With the flood gradually receding, the cadres and masses in the affected areas are working hard to ensure the basic needs of the affected people. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

A villager operates an excavator to clean up silt in Caotan Village of Yantouzhai Town, Guzhang County of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, July 2, 2023. With the flood gradually receding, the cadres and masses in the affected areas are working hard to ensure the basic needs of the affected people. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

A villager points out the traces left after the flood in his house in Caotan Village of Yantouzhai Town, Guzhang County of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, July 2, 2023. With the flood gradually receding, the cadres and masses in the affected areas are working hard to ensure the basic needs of the affected people. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Volunteers help villagers clean up damaged furniture in Caotan Village of Yantouzhai Town, Guzhang County of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, July 2, 2023. With the flood gradually receding, the cadres and masses in the affected areas are working hard to ensure the basic needs of the affected people. (Xinhua/Xie Ben)