The death toll from heavy and torrential rainfall in southwest
China's Sichuan
Province has risen to 19 as of 10:30 PM Saturday, while 21 have
been reported missing and 40 others seriously injured, according to
the provincial disaster relief office.
The eastern and northern parts of Sichuan have had continuous
rainstorms since Thursday, which triggered mountain torrents,
mud-rock flows and landslides in over 20 counties.
The 24-hour precipitation in the county of Quxian county of
Dazhou city reached 253.2 mm on Saturday, leaving six locals dead,
seven missing and 37 others badly injured, with a direct loss of
156 million yuan (US$19 million), said the office.
Government department at all levels have launched emergency
plans, organizing rescue operations and relocating local
residents.
(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2004)
