A round of torrential rains has flooded a region of southern China, killing 25 people and leaving 25 missing.

The flood has forced the evacuation of about 671,200 people and has affected 10 provinces and municipalities in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, according to China's Ministry of Civil Affairs.

In Zhejiang province, where the water level has exceeded the historic record set in 1955, officials have raised the disaster alert to the highest level. More than 2,000 soldiers mobilized for the emergency response in the area.

CNN reports that this is the third round of heavy rains in the region this month.

The last round hit the area June 9, triggering floods and mudslides that left 77 dead and 31 people missing, authorities said.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs estimated losses stemming from the latest flood at nearly 2 billion dollars, more than the previous two floods combined.

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