Heavy rainstorms struck the western part of the west China's Sichuan Province Saturday and Sunday, resulting in mountain torrents and mudslides which caused 8 missing, according to the provincial disaster-relief office.

The rainstorms hit 33 counties of 7 cities in the province including Meishan, Chengdu, Deyang, Ya'an, Leshan and Yibin, with rainfall ranging from 100 mm and 238 mm, the office said.

The heavy rainstorms caused flooding of rivers, mountain torrents and mudslides Saturday which washed away 8 local residents.

The provincial authorities have paid high attention to the disaster-relief work and have sent rescue teams to the disaster-afflicted areas. The rescuers were trying all out to search for the missing.

Torrential rainfall ravaging northwest China's Shaanxi Province in the past two days has victimized 22,000 local people and flattened about 3,870 hectares of crops, according to the provincial flood control and prevention headquarters on Sunday.

Ninety-four counties of the province have been affected by torrential rains, with rainfall exceeding 50 mm in some areas, the source said.

From July 1 to 2, rainstorm in Huayin City of the province has led to the outbreak of mountain torrents which inundated 968 rural households from five villages, killing three villagers. The direct economic loss caused by the adversity was estimated at more than 45 million yuan (US$5.42 million).

The Shaanxi provincial authorities have paid close attention to flood control and prevention work and have been working hard to reduce any possible losses caused by the heavy rainstorms.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2005)