(Yicai Global) July 13 -- Steady torrential rains in many parts of South China have swollen water levels to above historic high-water marks and afflicted 37.89 million people nationwide, leaving 141 of them dead or missing since the ‘plumrain’ monsoon season began, per the latest data from the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

The flood disasters had displaced 2.2 million people and collapsed 28,000 houses by noon yesterday, drowning 3.5 million hectares of crops and leading to CNY82.23 billion (USD11.74 billion) in direct economic losses, data show.

A polder embankment collapse inundated Poyang county, Jiangxi province, in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

This aerial snap shows the scene after floodwaters breached a dam around 40 meters high in Yangxin county, Hubei province, in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.

Villages sit surrounded by the flood in the Huangshan Scenic Area in Anhui province.

Firefighters evacuate trapped villagers using dinghies.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Ben Armour