Meteorologists say more devastation can be expected, with thunderstorms or hurricanes forecast for the coming days.

The figures from the Ministry of Civil Affairs covered eight provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in the south -- Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan and Guizhou.

Reports did not specify when the head count started but said the statistics showed that by June 30 floods had affected 44.75 million residents, left 148 dead and ruined 1.98 million hectares (4.89 million acres) of farmland.

Many roads and houses have been destroyed or washed away.

Earlier this month Zhang Zhitong, deputy executive director of the Office of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, said that 16.9 million people had been affected by floods countrywide and that 186 had died.

Weather forecasters said there was little respite in sight with heavy to torrential rains threatening the southwest and southeast in the days ahead.

The Central Meteorological Station said parts of the country can expect thunderstorms or hurricanes and have warned local governments to be prepared for floods, mud-rock flows and landslides.

On Sunday, an emergency directive was issued to local governments along the Yangtze River, warning that the river basin could witness massive flooding this season.

Last year, more than 1,500 people were killed in floods and flood-related disasters across the country, according to official estimates.

TERRA.WIRE