Rain-triggered natural disasters kill 14 in SW China's Yunnan

KUNMING -- Fourteen people have been killed by rain-triggered natural disasters such as floods and landslides in Southwest China's Yunnan province since July 25, local authorities said Tuesday.

The natural disasters also left three people missing, according to the Yunnan provincial disaster relief committee.

As of Tuesday noon, the heavy rainfall that started last Thursday has lashed Yunnan's eight cities and prefectures, affecting about 35,000 residents across the province, the committee said.

The disasters have collapsed 40 houses and damaged 147 others, and inundated nearly 1,500 hectares of crops.

So far, the provincial authorities have dispatched work teams to aid the search and rescue of the missing and the disaster relief. Tents and other relief supplies have also been sent to the affected areas.