Three killed and 12 missing in SW China rainstorms

Rainstorms have killed at least three people and left 12 missing in Mianning County in southwest China's Sichuan Province, according to local authorities.

The vehement rainstorms lashed the region from Friday night to the early hours of Saturday. The county has launched a level II emergency response.

As of 11:00 a.m. BJT on Saturday, over 1,700 homes with nearly 8,000 people have been relocated.

A search and rescue operation is underway.