Severe floods in southern China have killed at least 22 people and left 20 missing since last Saturday. Eight people were trapped in a flooded coal mine in Xingyi city in the southwestern province of Guizhou Monday. Rescue operations are still underway.

Meanwhile, a dam broke in Liye town in Hunan province, forcing about 1,850 people to leave their homes. Severe storms pushed water levels in rivers and lakes to dangerous heights, and floods continue to inundate some areas in provinces such as Zhejiang and Jiangxi.

Chinese authorities earlier warned of the potential for record floods this year because of a strong El Nino weather pattern.