Death toll rises to 24 from flash flood in SW China

CHENGDU -- The death toll has risen to 24 from a flash flood in Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture in Southwest China's Sichuan province, local authorities said Tuesday.

The flash flood hit Gengdi Village in Qiaowo township of Puge county at around 6 am. It left four people injured and another one missing, according to the information office of the prefecture government.

As of 6 pm, the flood had affected 577 people of 157 households and destroyed 71 houses. Several roads and bridges were also damaged.

More than 1,000 people were dispatched to search for the missing people and relief goods including tents, quilts and clothes have been sent to the hands of affected residents.

Rescue work is under way.