China's weather authority has extended its blue alert for rainstorms in some southern and central regions.

The warning holds for parts of Hunan, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guizhou and Sichuan, and also northwestern regions of Gansu and Ningxia through Monday afternoon. The areas will see as much as 90 millimeters of precipitation. Thunder and hail are also likely. Flood and landslides hit Hunan on Sunday morning, destroying houses and roads.

The Jiaozuo-Liuzhou rail line connecting Northern and Southern China was buried. Local authorities have been advised to take precautions against urban water logging and natural disasters. In Hubei province, hundreds of militiamen are defending an embankment.

Around the clock and for 18 straight days. Hundreds of militiamen have been defending a two-kilometer-long embankment against rising flood water in central China's Hubei Province. The embankment separates a natural lake and an aquaculture farm plus a lotus growing base which provide a living for thousands of locals.

Incessant rain since June have raised the water level in the lake to almost a meter above that of the farm, threatening the harvest. 300 militiamen are reinforcing the embankment. They've topped up the dyke with 100,000 sandbags.

"If the embankment were to burst, our 330-hectare aquaculture farm and lotus planting base would be destroyed totally.  That would mean a minimum loss of more than 100 million yuan," Wang Zhongsheng, deputy Party Secreatary of Banbishan Farm, said.

The dyke was already breached last week. Thanks to the militia, the dyke and embankment are still able to withstand the floods. As a precaution, some 60 residents have been evacuated from the farm area,

"We're not worried any more. Our houses have been destroyed, but thanks to the government, we are now living very comfortably as well."

Authorities say more shelters are expected to be set up, and relocation of residents has become the most crucial task.