15 dead, 4 missing in Chongqing torrential rain

(ECNS) -- Torrential rain has killed 15 people and left four missing in Wanzhou District, southwest China’s Chongqing, local authorities said Wednesday. 

As of 10:00 am Wednesday, the rainfall had caused disasters in 36 towns, villages and streets including Wuqiao, Changling, and Baiyang in Wanzhou.

A total of 37,226 people have been affected by the disasters, with 11,578 people transferred to safe places and 779 people resettled, said Wanzhou Emergency Management Bureau.

In addition, a total of 1,949.96 hectares of crops were affected, 50 houses collapsed and 112 houses were damaged, causing direct economic losses of nearly 228 million yuan ($31.5 million), authorities said. 

Rescue work has been launched to ensure the safety of people's lives and property.