3 confirmed dead in flooded underground garage in Central China

CHANGSHA -- Three people have been confirmed dead after being trapped in an underground parking garage amid severe urban flooding triggered by torrential rainfall in Longshan county, Central China's Hunan province, local authorities said Friday.

Water levels in the county's Guoli River surged after days of heavy rain, inundating several residential compounds, according to Longshan county's publicity department.

Four residents reportedly entered the underground garage at a residential compound on Thursday in an attempt to move their vehicles. One person was rescued early Friday at 4:35 am and is in stable condition.

Heavy downpours have battered Longshan county since Wednesday evening. Authorities raised the flood emergency response to the second-highest level at 10:30 am on Thursday.