Beijing, June 21 (RHC)-- Severe floods have claimed the lives of at least 22 people and left 20 others missing over the past three days in southern China, media reports say.  Heavy flooding accompanied by summer rainstorms have also displaced a total of 197,000 people and affected 3.7 million others since Saturday in seven southern provinces in the country, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Xinhua added that storms had pushed water levels in rivers to dangerous levels, leading to crop damage, the collapse of 10,500 houses, and economic losses amounting to nearly 2.7 billion yuan ($410 million U$D).

According to the news agency, several people were trapped in a flooded coal mine in southwest Guizhou province.  Torrential rain is forecast to continue in south China over the next several days.

Meanwhile, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang called on local authorities and related departments to take precautions, intensify efforts and formulate emergency programs in order to prevent flood and mitigate loss from possible upcoming disasters.  Wang also stressed the importance of avoiding mass casualties and ensuring water supply safety.