Chinese authorities have evacuated about 36,000 people due to the catastrophic floods caused by heavy rainfall in Fujian province in southeastern China, according to the Xinhua News Agency on Sunday.

According to the agency, large areas of Fujian were devastated by the heavy rains that lasted for days, prompting authorities to issue an evacuation order.

Xinhua reported that approximately 179,800 people had been affected by the rains by Saturday evening.

The floods caused damage to 12,350 hectares of crops, estimated at around 225 million dollars in direct losses.

Chinese authorities warned on Sunday evening that more heavy rain is expected in several areas.

According to the National Meteorological Center, parts of the provinces of Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, and Guangdong in the southeast, as well as westward in the provinces of Guizhou, Guangxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan, are expected to experience heavy rain or storms on Monday.

The center stated that heavy rainfall is expected, including rainfall levels exceeding 70 millimeters per hour and thunderstorms.

The Ministry of Water Resources and the Meteorological Administration issued an orange warning, which is the second highest level.

Some areas in southwestern Zhejiang and northern Fujian issued the highest level red warning due to the risk of mountain stream flooding.

Local authorities have been asked to take precautionary measures.