The death toll from rainstorm-triggered floods in the northeastern part of Sichuan Province and Chongqing, southwest China, has risen to 88 and the missing increased to 52, according to local sources.

Heavy rainstorm, which was claimed as the most destructive in the province so far this year, has hit the cities of Dazhou, Nanchong and Bazhong.

The rainstorm incurred mountain torrents, landslides and mud-rock flow in these areas, leaving hundreds of local people trapped in floods, houses and farmland destroyed and transportation cut off.

Local governments have sent police and armed police officers to evacuate residents trapped by floodwater and sent relief to the flood-affected areas.

In addition, the provincial government has dispatched three work teams to the flood-affected areas to monitor the rescue work while asking the air force and navy for help.

However, most of the disaster-affected people were scattered in the foothills and mountainous areas with poor traffic conditions, which brought great difficulties to the rescue work.

Source: Xinhua