HOHHOT - Thirteen people have been confirmed dead and 445,500 have been affected by rain-triggered floods in the east of Inner Mongolia autonomous region since July 1, said local authorities.

Days of heavy rainfall triggered floods in 23 counties in the region, causing 12 deaths, while another individual was killed by a lightening strike.

The downpour and ensuing disasters have resulted in direct economic losses of 1.4 billion yuan ($21.7 million).

More than 8,000 houses were damaged, including 3,300 which were toppled. Over 2,500 cattle died, and more than 70,000 hectares of crops were ruined, according to the regional flood control and drought relief office.

Downpours have breached 23.83 kilometers of dikes, cut power supplies and disrupted rail and road transportation.

The region is expecting an average precipitation of 50 to 150 mm from July 29 to August 2, with some areas receiving more than 150 mm, according to the weather forecast.

Days of heavy rainfall have also drenched Hanzhong city in the northwestern province of Shaanxi since Thursday, affecting 113,000 people, and leaving three missing, while forcing the evacuation of 9,390 people.

Over 2,800 houses collapsed and 7,800 others were damaged, while 4,000 hectares of crops were ruined in the storm-stricken city in the southwestern part of the province.

The torrential rain washed away a guard post at a natural reserve and swept away three workers, whom rescuers continue to search for, local authorities said.

A river swollen after the rainstorm submerged a 1,000-year-old town to the north of the city as precipitation reached 106 mm on Thursday night.

The township of Huayang, well-preserved since the Song Dynasty (960-1276), was forced to close to tourists. Two bridges were damaged in the flood, and local authorities estimated that the total economic losses could reach 200 million yuan ($31 million).