WUZHOU, Guangxi, June 15 (Xinhua) -- A section of the Xijiang River in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region was about to burst its embankments following days of heavy rain, threatening tens of thousands of people, local authorities said Sunday.

    Rising water and strong scouring had opened a 40-meter crack as of 8 a.m. Sunday on the Dayaochong embankment in Changzhou Town, said Zhang Jinshen, a Changzhou District official in charge of flood control.

Flooded houses are seen at Luzhai Town in Luzhai County, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 13, 2008. Flood caused by heavy rains in the county has left many buildings waterlogged. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Water poured into Longhua village nearby, forcing nearly 120,000 people to evacuate to higher ground.

    Hundreds of people have been mobilized to build a 5-meter-high temporary dyke with earth and sand bags near the breached section.

    Wuzhou, a city near Guangxi's border with Guangdong Province, had its worst flooding in 100 years in 2005.

    The flood crest of the Xijiang River at the Wuzhou section was expected to reach 25.3 meters at 10 p.m. Sunday.

    "If the crack widened and the dyke collapsed, the flood would directly threaten the safety of the western part of Wuzhou City," Zhang said.

Local residents paddle in a boat in the flooded street of Luzhai County, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 13, 2008. Flood caused by heavy rains in the county has left many buildings waterlogged. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Xijiang, a tributary of the Pearl River, runs through the Guangxi region and Guangdong Province.

    Water levels in the major rivers of Guijiang, Qianjiang, Xunjiang and Xijiang had exceeded warning levels, officials said.

    The regional government ordered cities and counties along the rivers to take preventive actions against the worst floods so far this year.

    Continuous heavy rains in Guangxi have damaged 22 bridges and cut traffic on 134 roads, including 10 national highways, putting losses at more than 120 million yuan (17.1 million U.S. dollars).

More downpours to lash South China

    BEIJING, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Heavy rains were forecast for most parts of already-drenched southern China over the next 10 days, and some areas could experience torrential rains, strong gales and thunderstorms, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said on Sunday. Full story

Freak rain causes deaths, huge evacuations

    BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Freak rain lashed eastern and southern China in the past few days, causing deaths and massive evacuations. Full story

Rainstorms kill 12, affect millions in southern China

    BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A dozen people were killed and millions were affected as rainstorms continued to lash south China over the past two days, local authorities said on Friday. Full story