According to data released by China's Ministry of Emergency Management, a total of 19.91 million people have been affected by floods since the beginning of flood season this summer.

A total of 34 000 homes collapsed and over 1.76 million hectares (4.34 million acres) of crops were damaged.

1.3 million people were relocated and 582 000 in need of emergency aid.

The ministry has pledged to make every effort to meet the basic living needs of those stricken by floods - intensify the patrol and maintenance of major dams and embankments, deploy more rescue forces in heavily flooded areas and make contingency plans for serious disasters, Xinhua reports.