Some 800,000 cubic meters of mud and rocks caused by a sudden rainstorm at the wee hours Friday swept Azuigou village in Wudaoqing Township, and also injured 48 others, destroyed 14 houses, and affected 245 people of 54 farmer families.

Local transport and telecommunications facilities were also damaged at varying degrees, said officials with the provincial rescue team, who rushed to the scene upon receiving the report.

The central authorities showed great concerns over the disaster. Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan has asked Sichuan Province to help in the local disaster relief efforts, prevent the life safety of disaster relief staff and local people from the threat of possible disasters that may follow.

The first batch of relief goods, including tents, rice and cotton-wedded quilts, have been shipped to the disaster-stricken area, where public order remains as usual while rescue work is going on.

(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2003)