China flood death toll hits 175

Widespread flooding in southern China has caused 175 deaths, with 107 more people missing and more storms expected, the government said Monday.

Thousands of houses have been destroyed and economic losses have topped $2.05 billion US, according to the Ministry of Water Resources. The toll was up from 132 on Sunday.

Flooding has affected more than 10 million residents since torrential rains began June 13, according to a government reportposted online.

The report called on emergency response teams to step up evacuation efforts of those still stranded in their homes.

More storms were forecast through Tuesday morning, the Chinese Meteorological Administration said.

China sustains major flooding annually along the mighty Yangtze and other major rivers, but this year's floods have been especially heavy, spreading across nine provinces and regions in the south and along the eastern coast.

The flooding follows the worst drought in a century for the southern provinces and regions of Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi. It left millions without drinking water and destroyed more thanfive million hectares of crops.