Rainstorms and ensuing flooding since June 28 have left 65 people dead and 30 others missing in southwest China's Sichuan Province, according to the provincial disaster relief office on Sunday.

Rainstorms and flooding swept over 84 counties and cities in the province, with 18 cities and counties reporting rainfall of more than 200 mm. The disasters affected 8.988 million people, flattened 30,000 houses, damaged 106,000 houses and totally destroyed more than 33,000 hectares of crops, the office said.

The disasters also seriously damaged telecommunications, power supply, water conservancy and traffic facilities in the affected areas, the office said.

Relief work was immediately carried out in the affected areas, according to the office.
 
(Xinhua News Agency July 11, 2005)