Flash floods caused by rainstorms left at least 19 people dead,
31 others missing in an ethnic minority prefecture in southwest
China's Guizhou Province on Tuesday.
Sudden downpours hit Wangmo County, Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao
Autonomous Prefecture around 10:00 PM Monday, and continued for
four hours, causing several flash floods in the mountainous
region.
Sources with the prefecture government said that at least 19
local residents were confirmed dead and 31 people missing in the
late-night flooding disaster. The floods have washed away a number
of houses. So far, those affected have been evacuated to safe
places.
Officials from the local disaster-relief, transportation and
power supply departments have rushed to the county to direct the
flood-relief work.
(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2006)