8 dead, 19 missing in SW China rainstorms

Eight people died and 18 others are missing after heavy rain in southwest China's Sichuan Province since Sunday.

The rain and floods have affected 564,000 people in six cities, and 12,500 people have been relocated, according to figures released by the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters Tuesday.

Six deaths and all of the missing were reported in Xuyong County, Luzhou City. Mudslides on Monday morning destroyed homes and cut off power, telecommunications and roads.

The storm has inflicted direct economic losses of 210 million yuan (about 32.8 million U.S. dollars), damaging 20,470 hectares of farmland.

Police officers, armed police and firemen are searching for the missing.