More than 1.76 million people have been affected by severe flooding in China’s northern Shanxi province, according to local media.

Torrential rain last week led to houses collapsing and triggered landslides across more than 70 districts and cities in the province.

Heavy rainfall is hampering rescue efforts, officials said.

The flooding comes less than three months after extreme rains in Henan province left more than 300 dead.

China’s Meteorological Administration also told local media that heavy and prolonged rainfall and storms are hampering rescue efforts.

Shanxi is also home to several ancient monuments which are at major risk from the severe rainfall.

Authorities told news agency that more than 120,000 people have been urgently transferred and resettled and that 17,000 homes have collapsed across Shanxi province.