Early Tuesday morning a flood triggered by rainstorms hit parts of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. According to local meteorological department sources, more than 300 vehicles and 1,000 passengers are trapped.
 
The rainstorm, which began on Monday night, poured down in the north, south and eastern parts of Xinjiang. It triggered a flood 10 hours later, causing road-related car crashes and a breakdown in communications. By 7:30 AM Tuesday 300 vehicles and 1,000 passengers were caught on the roads.

Work is under way to repair both the roads and the communications systems.

Signs of an impending rainstorm have also been identified in Shaanxi, another northwest province, according to the provincial observatory. They forecast a rainstorm would hit the southern part of the province by Tuesday.

The observatory has warned related departments to take precautionary measures for the upcoming deluge.

(Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2007)