Hundreds feared trapped in southwest China floods

Hundreds of people are still feared to trapped in floods after heavy torrential rains lashed southwest China killing at least 24 persons in past two days.

Hundreds of people are still feared to trapped in floods after heavy torrential rains lashed southwest China killing at least 24 persons in past two days.

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At least 600 residents are still trapped in Tongnan, the county government has said, while 12,300 people have been rescued.

The flooding in Tongnan County occurred after downpour pounded the upper reaches of Qiongjiang River last morning, driving up the water level in the river's section in the region by 5.8 meters in just four hours, the county government source said as reported by the state news agency Xinhua.

Three townships -- Chongkan, Tai'an and Baizi -- and some other villages are flooded since Saturday night with Chongkan losing contact with rest of the country because of damage to the roads and communication facilities.

The rescuers, including fire fighters and police personnel, rescued 250 people at around 3 am (local time) on Sunday.

So far 170 people have been killed in torrential rains this month with 40 others still missing.