Further north, in central Hubei province, three were dead and four missing in floods caused by torrential rains that also collapsed some structures and severed communication to some villages.
Government authorities allocated 120 million yuan (US$17.6 million) in disaster relief funds for five affected regions on Tuesday, Xinhua reported.
An additional 30 million yuan was also allocated for Guizhou province, which had suffered heavy “casualties and property losses”, Xinhua said, citing the the National Development and Reform Commission.
Nearly 24,000 people were evacuated in affected areas across Hunan, Guizhou and Hubei, according to an AFP tally.
Weather forecasts indicate that the region is expected to experience continuous rainfall in the coming days.
Scientists warn the intensity and frequency of global extreme weather events will increase as the planet continues to heat up because of fossil fuel emissions.
China is the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, but it is also a global renewable energy powerhouse that aims to make its massive economy carbon-neutral by 2060.
