Flash floods caused by rainstorms left at least 19 people dead, 31 others missing in an ethnic minority prefecture in southwest China's Guizhou Province on Tuesday.

Sudden downpours hit Wangmo County, Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture around 10:00 PM Monday, and continued for four hours, causing several flash floods in the mountainous region.

Sources with the prefecture government said that at least 19 local residents were confirmed dead and 31 people missing in the late-night flooding disaster. The floods have washed away a number of houses. So far, those affected have been evacuated to safe places.

Officials from the local disaster-relief, transportation and power supply departments have rushed to the county to direct the flood-relief work.

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2006)