One dead, 17 missing after record rains hit China's Chongqing

One person was killed and another 17 were unaccounted for after heavy rain battered Yongchuan District in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality starting Saturday night, local authorities reported to Xinhua.

A heavy rainstorm hit the district from Saturday night to Sunday morning. The Chashanzhuhai subdistrict logged the maximum rainfall of 296.6 mm between 2 am and 4 am Sunday, with a maximum hourly rainfall intensity of 103.6 mm, according to the on-site command headquarters for flood control and rescue operations.

Meteorological authorities warned that continuous precipitation poses a higher risk of inducing geological disasters, including landslides, collapses, and debris flows.

Chongqing activated a Level-III emergency response for geological disasters in Yongchuan District at 7 am Sunday. Local departments are carrying out emergency rescue work.

Meanwhile, the death toll from heavy rainfall in Shimen County, central China's Hunan Province, rose to seven, with 14 others still missing, local authorities said. Among the missing, five were added following further investigation.

Meanwhile, the death toll from heavy rainfall in Shimen County, central China's Hunan Province, rose to seven, with 14 others still missing, local authorities said. Among the missing, five were added following further investigation.

Search and rescue operations are underway. The National Development and Reform Commission has allocated 50 million yuan (about $7.31 million) to support post-flood emergency recovery efforts in Hunan.