Heavy rains lashed south China yesterday as the government set up emergency response headquarters to combat floods and landslides that have killed over 200 people and forced millions to evacuate.

The scale of the disaster prompted Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to fly to hard-hit Jiangxi province to inspect rescue and relief operations - his second visit to a flood-hit area in one week, state radio reported.

State television showed Mr Wen walking in ankle deep waters in a downpour consoling locals and encouraging soldiers shipped in for rescue operations. Mr Wen also visited an indoor stadium full of adults and children forced from their homes.

The state meteorological bureau warned that more rains were due to hit five provinces and regions in southern China in the coming days, as water levels on many rivers surpassed historic highs.

Up to 196 millimetres of rain fell on parts of Jiangxi and neighbouring Fujian province during a 24-hour period starting on Tuesday, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said, warning of landslides and mudflows.

More than 15,000 soldiers have been dispatched to hard-hit areas to help in rescue operations, while militias aided in the evacuation of over 75,000 people in Jiangxi after a dyke burst on the Fuhe river, the ministry added.

An army of over 2.6 million people in the province were shoring up river and reservoir dykes in an effort to avert further disaster, the official Xinhua news agency said.

The disaster, which has hit 10 southern and central Chinese provinces or regions, has caused an estimated 43 billion yuan (€5 billion) of economic losses and displaced 2.4 million people since June 13.

At least 211 people have died in the disaster and 119 are missing since June 13, the ministry reported on Wednesday. No new toll was released yesterday, but the ministry said that 365 people had died and 147 were missing in floods across the nation so far this year.