HAIKOU, July 21 -- Heavy downpours since Sunday in the southernmost island province of Hainan have forced 4,230 people to evacuate, according to local flood control authorities on Tuesday.

Dongfang City was worst hit in the rainstorm with precipitation of more than 500 mm, according to the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters.

An elderly man from Basuo Township went missing in the storm.

Some 168,000 people were affected and 4,230 people have been evacuated in Dongfang City, with 18 of its 38 reservoirs discharging flood water.