In downpours recorded since Tuesday, 3 million people have been affected and shipping on the Three Gorges section of the Yangtsze River has been suspended due to high water levels. The torrential rains have disrupted city traffic, delayed flights, and flooded homes and farmlands, reported Xinhua, the state-run Chinese news agency.

Hardest hit were the central Chinese province of Hubei and the southwestern Yunnan province. Each reported six rain-related deaths, while 25 cities and counties in Hubei -- which holds the Yangtze River -- reported $102 million in damages.

Officials at the huge Three Gorges dam along the Yangtze opened its floodgates to lower the water level in the reservoir. They said the discharging would continue because yet more heavy rains were expected on the upper reaches of the river.