The landslides and flooding were caused by exceedingly heavy rainfalls, unseen for years in this region, which affected cities like Chenzhou, Hengyang, Yongzhou and Zhuzhou with populations totaling 3.5 million, local sources said.

Sources show the rainstorms will bring a loss of 190 million yuan (US$23 million).

The Hunan provincial and local governments had formed emergency teams and sent officials to the affected areas for rescue and relief efforts.

(People's Daily August 9, 2002)