Torrential rains had been slashing central China's Hubei Province since Thursday, leaving four people dead and three others missing.

The rain affected the life of 4.07 million people and destroyed crops in 35 counties across the province, a spokesman of the provincial civil affairs department said on Saturday.

Several landslides, triggered by downpours, took place in Zigui and Xingshan counties.

In some counties, rain water had poured into the houses of urban residents.

The provincial government had sent 100 tents to Zigui. Three working teams were heading for the worst-stricken areas to assist disaster relief efforts.

(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2008)