34 killed, 28 missing after floods in west and central China

Beijing, July 25 (ANI): At least 34 people have died and 28 others have been declared missing after floods and landslides caused by the torrential rains over the past two days ravaged parts of western and central China. More than 12,400 people have been evacuated from the area.

According to Xinhua, the National Metrological Center has said the torrential rains would continue to pound China's central and southwest regions on Sunday.

Water levels on the upper reaches of the nation's longest river 'Yangtze' are at their highest since 1987 and water levels on its middle and lower reaches are above warning levels for the first time since 2003.

Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has ordered local authorities to prepare for "more serious floods and disasters", as some major rivers saw water rising above their warning levels.

During an inspection tour in central China's Hubei Province on July 23, Wen said that China was at a "crucial stage" for flood control, Xinhua reported. (ANI)