The death toll in seven flood-hit provinces in southern China has risen to 131, the Ministry of Civil Affairs reported on Tuesday.

Another 31 people are missing as a result of torrential rain which began lashing the Huaihe River valley, the eastern area of Sichuan Province and the southern area of Shaanxi Province on June 28.

Nearly 1.2 million people in Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Sichuan, Chongqing and Shaanxi had been evacuated by 5:00 pm on Tuesday.

More than 99,000 houses have collapsed and another 407,100 have been damaged.

Altogether 2.67 million hectares of farmland have been affected, with direct agricultural losses estimated at 5.8 billion yuan (US$763 million) and total direct economic losses at 9.9 billion yuan, according to the ministry.

Heavy rains triggered mountain torrents, landslides and mudflows.

The government has sent a working team, headed by executive deputy minister of civil affairs Li Liguo, to the flood-stricken areas to direct disaster relief activities.

More rains are expected in Sichuan, Henan, Anhui and Jiangsu provinces and Chongqing Municipality, according to weather forecast.