Heavy rain has caused severe flooding in parts of Chongqing, Guizhou and Guangxi, with water levels reaching up to two metres and submerging vehicles, authorities said.
The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters dispatched a working group to Chongqing on Sunday, urging enhanced emergency duty and strict implementation of 24-hour duty and leadership shifts.
The Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration issued a red alert for mountain torrents at 6pm on Sunday. From Sunday evening to Monday evening, parts of southwestern Hunan, northern Guangxi and southern Guizhou are at very high risk of mountain torrent disasters.
In Chongqing, a 500-600 metre section of road in the High-tech Agricultural Industry Avenue was flooded, with only vehicle roofs visible. A resident said rain started around 1am and by 7am water was about one metre deep, reaching over two metres by morning.
The Chongqing Hechuan District education authority confirmed that three college entrance examination venues are safely distanced from the worst-hit areas and have not been affected.