Continuous storms have lashed down parts of east China's Jiangsu Province since June 21, dumping some 316 millimeters of rain and causing major damage. The storms have collapsed houses, inundated cropland and resulted in dozens of human and animal casualties.

Between June 21 and July 5, this coastal province had the most rainfall since 1961, nearly four times the average during this period, according to the provincial meteorological bureau.

The disastrous weather has inundated large tracts of cropland and forests, and rising water levels are threatening to flood the shores of Hongze Lake, a major lake along the lower Huaihe River that runs across the province.

Water was flowing into Hongze Lake at 6,500 cubic meters per second.

Meanwhile, the water levels in other major lakes along the Huaihe River are also rising to flood levels, according to the Huaihe River Water Resources Commission.

An emergency plan has been implemented to prevent flooding. The plan includes draining flooded cropland and monitoring water levels in major lakes and rivers in the province.

Also in Jiangsu Province, a cyclone hit Dafeng City on July 3, killing three people and injuring 27.

In other news, local government sources confirmed that heavy rains over the last four days have killed six people and affected the lives of 1.12 million people in southwest Sichuan Province.

(Xinhua News Agency July 6, 2006)