Xi orders more troops to join flood control

People and vehicles move on a waterlogged street in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 5, 2016. A rainstorm hit Yangzhou Tuesday. (Xinhua/Wang Qingchao)

BEIJING, July 6 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered the People's Liberation Army and the armed police force to send more troops to support flood control and disaster relief in areas battered by rainstorms.

While praising the role of the military in recent disaster relief, Xi, also chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), urged the CMC to immediately send troops to the affected areas for disaster relief based on new flooding situation.

He also demanded troops to work hard to save people's lives and protect their property as well as help restore order in the affected areas.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs said on Tuesday that five days of heavy rain along the Yangtze River and its tributaries had left 128 people dead and 42 others missing.

The rain has led to the collapse of 41,000 houses and forced the evacuation of more than 1.34 million people. Nearly 600,000 people are in urgent need of basic living assistance.