A rainstorm-triggered flash flood interrupted communication and blocked roads and bridges in Xinhua village, Malie township, Hanyuan county in Sichuan province, at about 2:30 am on Saturday.

A preliminary investigation showed that more than 30 people were missing and over 40 houses were damaged, China Central Television quoted the county emergency management bureau as saying.

After the disaster occurred, an emergency rescue command center was immediately set up to carry out search and rescue and restoration of roads and communication, the bureau said.