3 dead, 9 missing after torrential rains in SW China

Three people have died and nine are still missing after floods and mudslides in southwest China's mountainous Sichuan Province, authorities said on Tuesday.

Heavy rains in Siping township of Ya'an City triggered a flood that destroyed two power stations at around 11:20 p.m. on Monday, according to sources with the Sichuan provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters.

One person has been confirmed dead and three others missing in the flood, which also cut off traffic at several sections of the National Highway 108.

Another flood broke out at around 11:30 p.m. in Dahua township of Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, leaving one dead and one missing, the sources said.

Also in Ya'an, a mudslide caused by downpours damaged a bridge and several houses in the early hours of Tuesday, killing one person and leaving five others missing.

Sichuan is victim to frequent downpours, floods and mudslides, especially during rainy seasons. The Chinese government allocated 1.05 billion yuan (165.62 million U.S. dollars) on Aug. 3 to help people affected by recent heavy rains, floods and typhoons that hit many regions across China, including Sichuan.