Vast parts of south and east China are witnessing heavy downpours over the three-day Dragon Boat Festival.

The Meteorological authority is forecasting torrential rainfall will hit the south in the coming week, warning residents and travellers to take safety precautions.

China has seen the heaviest rainfall in 43 years during the flood season, which started in March, with an average annual precipitation of 178 mm nationwide, an increase of 22 percent from last year, according to National Climate Center.

Statistics show water levels in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River have seen an increase of 34 percent from previous years. Over 130 rivers in the south have reached flood warning levels.

On Friday, severe flooding caused by heavy rainstorms in southwest China left many stranded, while three people are still missing after being carried away by the severe floodwaters in Liping County of southwest Guizhou Province.

Storms in south and east China have disrupted the lives of hundreds of thousands of people over the past two weeks, forcing many homes to be evacuated and causing extensive damage.

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