6 dead, 6 missing after rainstorms batter Sichuan province

Six people were killed and six others remain missing after week-long heavy rains devastated southwest China's Sichuan province, said the provincial flood control authorities Tuesday.

The rainstorms battered the eastern, middle and southern areas of Sichuan from Sept 8 to 15, with accumulated rainfall of more than 400 mm in five counties, said the Sichuan Provincial Flood Control Headquarters.

Some areas reported record-high precipitation in the same period. Power, roads, communications and crops suffered damage in the ravaged areas.

The prolonged rainy weather has affected over 2.5 million people in 40 counties, with 160,000 evacuated in advance.

Disaster relief and prevention of secondary geological disasters are under way.