BEIJING, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Drenched riverside towns in central and southern parts of China on Monday prepared for even more flooding as water levels in the country's huge rivers surged and rainstorms continued.

In its latest update, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said floods this year had left 823 people dead and another 437 missing as of Monday morning.

The direct economic loss had mounted to 154.1 billion yuan, more than double that of previous flood losses incurred in any single year since 2000.

Premier Wen Jiabao has urged local authorities to fully prepare for more floods and related disasters.

More than 370,000 soldiers and residents now have been mobilized to beef up the flood prevention efforts in eight provinces and municipalities along the country's major rivers, the flood control headquarters said.