CHANGSHA - Heavy rain since Monday has caused flooding in Central China's Hunan province, forcing the evacuation of about 5,000 people.

The downpour has affected 309,600 people in 173 towns and wreaked havoc to many water conservation, transportation and power facilities, according to provincial headquarters of flood control and drought relief on Friday.

Huaihua city, located in the western part of the province, was hit worst by the rain. Its Hecheng district recorded a precipitation of 251.1 mm within 24 hours.

Heavy rain is forecast in the west and north of the province in the next three days, which is expected to cause flooding in Ruanshui, Zishui and Xiangjiang rivers, according to the Hunan provincial meteorological station.