BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- The death toll from floods triggered by torrential rains in southwest China hit 118 with 86 missing by noon Tuesday, according to the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

    The rainstorms have affected 8.09 million local residents, and direct economic losses are estimated to exceed 3.3 billion yuan (398 million US dollars), said Zhang Zhitong, deputy director of the headquarters,

    "This is most severe natural disaster struck the country after typhoon Rananim, which killed at least 164 in eastern Zhejiang Province in mid-August," said Zhang.

    Eighty-five people were confirmed dead and 53 missing in Sichuan while 33 have died with another 33 missing in Chongqing. They were victims of landslides, mud-and-rock flow and flash floods sweeping through mountain valleys, according to local flood control offices.

    The latest statistics with the headquarters showed that the water level in the upper reaches of the flood-swollen Yangtze River has begun to fall. Headquarters continue to urge Chongqing and Hubei, in the upper and middle reaches of the river, to be on guard of any possible flooding. Enditem