ZHOUQU, GANSU, NORTH WEST CHINA: (Agencies) — More than 127 people have been dead and over 2,000 missing in rain-triggered landslides in a northwest China county on Sunday. According to china official Xinhua news agency rescuers working overnight save missing people
Heavy downpours triggered landslides and mud-rock flows in Zhouqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu Province, early Sunday morning. 76 people were also confirmed injured, said the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
According to a statement from the provincial civil affairs department about 45,000 people have been evacuated, As of noon, more than 680 residents had been rescued by local residents. And the water level in the county seat of Chengguan Township had declined by 40 cm, after floodwaters carrying mud and rocks submerged half the town in the small hours on Sunday, said Mao Shengwu, head of the prefecture.
Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao instructed the government of Gansu Province and other related departments to spare no efforts to save lives.
The China National Committee for Disaster Reduction, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters and the Ministry of Civil Affairs have lifted the national disaster relief response level to grade II, the second highest level.