WUHAN - Hundreds of people have been left stranded by a rain-triggered flood that occurred in Central China's Hubei province Monday morning, local rescuers said.

Heavy rains hit Gucheng county in the city of Xiangyang early Monday morning, flooding the downtown area and surrounding villages, county firefighters said.

The exact number of trapped people is not yet known.

Firefighters equipped with rubber boats have been dispatched to rescue the stranded people.