Four days of torrential rains and floods have killed at least eight people in south China's Sichuan and two in the northwestern Gansu Province by Friday, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Gansu provincial government.

The flood inundated the dykes and dams in Langzhoung City in Sichuan Province on July 17, 2009. Torrential rains and floods have left at least 8 people dead and five missing in south China's Sichuan Province as of 6:00 PM on July 17. [Xinhua]

More than 117,000 people have been relocated as rain destroyed more than 5,000 houses in 22 counties in Sichuan from Tuesday.

The ministry said the "disaster situation may become worse" as rain continued in parts of the province.

From Tuesday till 3 p.m. Friday, the average rainfall in Sichuan's Mianyang City reached 200 mm, damaging 850,000 hectares of crops.

Also, communication lines in four towns and villages of Xuanping, Qingpian, Baishen, Taolong had been completely cut and the situation in these regions remained unknown. In Gansu, landslides occurred on 216 roads linking villages and towns.

According to the local government, water in a quake lake in Gaochuan village began to overflow, posing a threat to eight villages and towns downstream.

The local government has begun delivering quilts, food and water to flood-hit areas. Technicians were sent to repair broken roads, bridges and communication facilities.

The local land and water department is monitoring reservoirs, quake lakes and other high-risk areas in the region.

The heavy rain continues in both provinces and the local governments have warned of more casualties and damage.

According to the Central Meteorological Observatory, rain is set to continue in most parts of Sichuan and eastern Gansu over the next 10 days with possible heavy rains and showers.