Brussels, Jul 16 (IANS): Nine people have died, while fours others were missing after severe floods swept towns and villages in Belgium's Walloon region following torrential rains, according to local reports.

The non-stop torrential rains also led to rivers and streams burst their banks, causing entire streets and villages to be inundated by heavy flooding, reports Xinhua news agency.

Five people died in the floods in Verviers and one in Pepinster, two cities in the province of Liege in eastern Belgium, after a bridge and a dozen houses collapsed.

A 50-year-old drowned in his cellar in the province of Liege, while another death was reported in Eupen.

Another 50-year-old man also died on Thursday at arc de Roly in the province of Namur, said the mayor of Philippeville Andre De Martin.

Four people are still reported missing, according to Belgian news website Sudinfo.

"Our country is currently hit by extreme rainfall. We sympathize deeply with all affected families and local authorities," said Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on Twitter.

The European Union Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated to tackle the heavy floods, following a request for assistance from Belgium.

Between Tuesday and Thursday, heavy rains have hit hard the eastern half of the country, according to the Belgian weather forecast, which says the rains will continue in the east and central part of the country, causing more rivers to overflow.