WUHAN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) - Eight people have been killed and five others remain missing amid heavy downpours and floods in central China's Hubei Province, local authorities said Tuesday.

Heavy rain hit Yunyang District in the city of Shiyan at around 4:00 a.m. Tuesday, causing flash floods in a local village.

The rain has also cut off roads and power in part of the city. Rescue efforts are in progress.

The local government issued a red alert for rainstorm, the highest in China's four-color alert system, at 7:30 Tuesday, noting high risks in flash floods, geological hazards and river flooding.