Dam breach triggers floods in central China

Chinese officials raced to stem floods caused by a dam breach in central China, state media reported. No casualties were immediately reported but the 226-metre breach forced nearly 6,000 people to evacuate from nearby areas.

The country's road monitoring centre said traffic controls had been imposed on all roads leading in and out of Hunan's Huarong county -- home to around half a million people -- "due to flood prevention needs". President Xi Jinping "urged all-out rescue and relief work to safeguard people's lives and property".

The emergency management ministry dispatched over 800 people, nearly 150 vehicles and dozens of boats to help block up the breach and assist with flood relief work.