The death toll of mountain torrents in central China's Hunan Province had risen to eight as of 11:00 AM Wednesday, local government sources confirmed.

According to the Hunan Provincial Headquarters for Flood Control and Drought Relief, at least 24 cities and counties in the province were hit by torrential rains from May 30 to June 1. Five cities and counties reported rainfall of more than 100 mm, with the largest rainfall exceeding 200 mm.

Mountain torrents flooded a dozen villages in Xinshao County, where three people were found killed and more than 60,000 villagers have been evacuated to safe places. As the mountain torrents occurred at 3:00 AM Wednesday when most villagers were sleeping, the casualties might rise, a local government official said.

Mountain torrents caused blackout and cut off telecommunications services in the affected areas.

Serious mountain torrents also hit Lianyuan City, Xinhua Countyand Louxing District of Loudi City, killing five people and besieging more than 20,000 others. Traffic and power supply were cut off in these areas.

Torrential rain and mountain torrents also struck Yongshu and Longshan counties, seriously damaging crops and residential houses.      

Officials of the provincial government have ordered immediate rescue efforts in the affected areas and called on all localities to get ready to fight against possible floods in the coming days and protect the safety of local reservoirs.

(Xinhua News Agency June 1, 2005)