Rain poured, strong gales blew and hailstones fell Monday in Bayannur City of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, leaving at least eight people dead and two others missing, local flood control officials said.

At least 56 houses were destroyed and 91 sheep were swept away by flash floods following the strong rainfall Monday in two districts of Urad Middle Banner and Urad Front Banner, affecting the lives and livelihood of more than 11,200 people in seven villages of Delingshan Town, according to Jing Lishan, deputy director of flood control headquarters in Inner Mongolia.

Delingshan, one of the seriously affected, recorded a rainfall of 63 millimeters within one hour, causing sudden mountain torrents in a very short time, Jing said.

Local officials rushed to the scene to inspect the disaster situation and guide relief.

Flood control authorities have issued a notice, urging the areas to prepare for possible major floods as local meteorological departments forecast heavy rainfall in coming days.

(Xinhua News Agency August 3, 2004)