JINAN, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Torrential rain has battered several provinces in China, affecting tens of thousands of people and causing heavy economic losses.

In east China's Shandong Province, the flooding caused by heavy downpour since Monday has affected about 91,000 people in six cities, according to local civil affairs authorities.

As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, the rainstorms have also damaged 6,800 hectares of crops and more than 500 houses, causing estimated economic loss of 193 million yuan (29.5 million U.S. dollars).

In southwest China's Sichuan Province, rainstorms have battered 15 cities and prefectures since Saturday, forcing the relocation of more than 8,800 people.

Local authorities have taken measures against the heavy rains.