Storms in southern and central China have left at least 26 people dead and 10 missing, state media say.

In Guangdong province, 15 have died since Wednesday and five were missing because of the storms, the official Xinhua news agency said on Monday, citing local flood control authorities.

Xinhua said working teams and relief materials were sent to the affected areas as part of an emergency response.

Seven people died and three were missing in Hunan because of the downpours, it added.

Pictures showed flooded streets in the city of Lining, and residents eating dinner sitting ankle-deep in brown water.

Storms also battered the southwestern province of Guizhou, where three people died on Saturday night and early Sunday.

A rescuer in Jiangxi province died after his boat capsized in a river while searching for a missing school pupil, Xinhua added.

State media gave no details about the final missing person.