CHANGSHA - A dam burst Friday evening in the central province of Hunan but no casualties had been reported as scores of villagers downstream had been relocated, according to the provincial authorities on Saturday.

The Badoucun reservoir dam burst around 6 pm Friday and water had flooded Xintang village of Taojiang county, said the Hunan provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters.

Heavy rain since Tuesday had increased water levels, putting pressure on the dam. The ensuing flood damaged 10 hectares of crops.

The local government has started the emergency response plan to repair the dam.

The Badoucun reservoir was constructed in 1973. It has been listed on the provincial reservoir reinforcement plan, as it was known to have safety risks.