Heavy rains flood 57 Chinese villages

Heavy rains in China have flooded 57 villages and brought water levels in six reservoirs in Haikou to dangerously high levels. More than 5,000 people have been evacuated from the affected villages to schools and other temporary housing, Xinhua reported Friday. Haikou, the capital of China's island province Hainan, received more than 9 inches of rainfall between Tuesday and Thursday, the city's flood and drought prevention office said. Dozens of the city's small- and medium-sized reservoirs let out extra water to alleviate pressure. Forecasters said heavy rains will continue in Haikou and surrounding areas over the next two days.