Tropical storm Fengshen is hammering Central China with heavy rainfall, triggering mudslides and cutting transportation links and power supplies.

Tropical storm Fengshen is hammering Central China with heavy rainfall, triggering mudslides and cutting transportation links and power supplies.

This is what Fengshen did to the village of Datang in Hunan Province.

Heavy rain has caused mudslides and cut off road access and power supplies, forcing about 500 people to be evacuated from along the river.

Li Zhiping, Official Datang Town.(CCTV.com)

Li Zhiping, Official Datang Town, said, "We have sealed off damaged roads. No cars or people are allowed to pass. Local residents have also been evacuated from dangerous areas and staff are patrolling the river, reminding the public to stay away."

The storm also triggered a landslide in neighboring Jiangxi province. Workers needed nearly 10 hours to repair this section of the railway.

Liao Wenjun, railway staff Shangrao, Jiangxi Province, said, "We used nearly 100 wood piles and 1500 sandbags to fix the collapsed part. We've worked since yesterday evening and have had no rest at all. And now the threat has been removed. "

Fengshen has destroyed houses and crops in its path. Heavy rain and flood alerts continue in its wake.

In Guangdong, the tropical storm has killed nine people. And the total direct economic losses have been estimated at about 1.2 billion yuan.

Forecasters say the wet weather will linger over the next two days in many parts of Southern China and warn the region needs more preparation for possible flooding.

(CCTV June 28, 2008)