DAZHOU, Sichuan - Surging water from a swollen river has flooded streets of a southwestern Chinese city nestled in a mountain valley, destroying 2,000 houses and prompting the evacuation of thousands of residents in low-lying areas, local authorities said Friday.

Flood waters rose to as high as three meters on the streets of Dazhou, Sichuan province, and flooded first-floor apartment rooms and street-side shops. At least 2,381 houses had collapsed and 13,100 local residents had been evacuated because of the flood, according to the city's civil affairs bureau.

Five people were injured in the flood, the authorities reported Friday afternoon. Roads and power lines were cut off while a large swath of farmland was also flooded.

Heavy rain has pounded Dazhou and surrounding areas since Wednesday. Local officials said the flood peak of the Zhouhe River that runs through Dazhou came before mid-night Thursday.

Dazhou frequently suffers from floods due to it being located in a valley.