More than 1.64 million people have been affected by flooding that began late last month and has resulted in US$169 million in losses, it said.

President Hu Jintao said Friday that saving lives is relief workers' top priority.

Classes were canceled Friday and Saturday in many primary and secondary schools in Hainan, China's southernmost island province, but were scheduled to resume Sunday.

Torrential rains, the worst the region has seen in decades, have resulted in the evacuation of more than 210,000 people and have flooded 1,160 villages.

More than 18,000 soldiers helped flood relief efforts in more than 10 regions.

The provincial meteorology bureau said that although the intensity had eased Friday, the rain was expected to continue until Monday.