Unprecedented heavy rain has left six people dead in Chongqing, state media reported.

Rainstorms pelted Dianjiang County from Wednesday night to Thursday morning, with the maximum daily precipitation measured at 254.6mm, the highest since records began.

Fifteen rivers in Chongqing saw water rise above alert levels.

Nearly 7,000 people were affected, with authorities evacuating 170 of them. (Xinhua)