33 missing in East China landslides

An aerial view of the landslide site in Sucun village in Suichang county, Zhejiang province, on Sept 29, 2016. [Photo/VCG]

HANGZHOU -- At least 33 people are missing in landslides triggered by rainstorms in two villages in the eastern province of Zhejiang, local governments said Thursday.

As of Thursday morning, 13 people have been rescued and 27 remain missing after a landslide caused by Typhoon Megi hit Sucun village, Lishui city at 5:28 pm Wednesday, according to the local government.

"Roughly 400,000 cubic meters of debris slid down the mountains and buried 20 households. Seventeen homes were also flooded. A township cadre who rushed to help relocate villagers is among the missing," Zhou Ruichen, a county official said.

Villager Zheng Quanwei, 56, was having dinner 200 meters away from the scene. "I heard a loud noise and rushed outside. It was dusky, but I could see some collapsed houses on the hillside," he said, "There was still some noises, and I couldn't help but burst into tears."

Video footage from the scene shows that there was smoke billowing out of the hill around 5:28 pm, as a massive landslide engulfed the hillside with terrified people screaming.

Many houses in the village were swept away and destroyed, and more than 1,460 local residents were relocated to safer areas.

The local government has mobilized more than 1,200 people, 21 excavators, four pumps, and other emergency equipment for the rescue work.

At the site of the disaster, stones have been rolling down the mountain, creating barrier lakes. Smaller landslides are likely to be triggered.

Rescuers had to walk to the site hand in hand, due to the turbulent water of the barrier lakes.

A temporary relocation site was set up in a nearby village, where 118 people were settled. A total of 176 beds, 50 items of clothing and some food were sent to the victims.

Baofeng Village was also affected by the typhoon, with six people missing in Wencheng County Wednesday night after their homes had been destroyed by a landslide.

The six villagers remain missing and rescue work is underway.