11 killed, 13 missing in Sichuan Province as heavy rains lash China

BEIJING: Eleven persons were killed and 13 others missing after heavy rains lashed southwest China's Sichuan Province beginning this week, authorities said today.

The rain and floods have affected 564,000 people in 16 counties of six cities since Sunday. Xuyong county of Luzhou City has been affected the most, according to the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters.

The 11 deaths and all of the missing people were reported in Xuyong.

Mudslides on Monday morning destroyed 35 homes and cut off power, telecommunications and roads, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Police officers, armed police and firemen are searching for the missing.