The death toll in the massive mudslide in northwest China's Gansu Province has risen to 1,144, with 600 still missing as of 4:30 p.m. Thursday, the provincial department of civil affairs said late Thursday.

The toll rose from 1,117 on Wednesday.

Overnight downpours triggered new floods and mudslides to the mudslide-devastated town of Zhouqu in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, leaving three people missing.

Floods also have left eight people dead and eight others missing in two counties in Gannan's neighboring city of Longnan on Thursday.

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At 7:30 pm on Wednesday, our driver drove north to take the five of us, a batch of reporters from China Daily, from Zhouqu to nearby Dangchang county, where we planned to spend the night.

Heavy Damage

A resident walks on a landslide-hit street in Zhouqu County of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province August 12, 2010.  

A man shovels in front of a partially-submerged excavator on a landslide-hit street.(L) Rescuers walk near the smoke from residents who are burning the belongings of their relatives killed.(R)

Rescue Efforts

Residents eat lunch inside a destroyed building in the landslide-hit Zhouqu County of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province August 12, 2010.

About 45,000 residents have been evacuated after the mudslides destroyed more than 300 homes and damaged another 700. Moreover, some 3,000 homes have been flooded. Drinking water shortages in the country eased Thursday after rescuers and authorities discovered wells.But meteorological authorities have warned of more rain in coming days, which may trigger further landslides and hamper rescue efforts.

Residents carry water

Rescuers

Chinese authorities have pledged to complete the reconstruction of all homes destroyed by a devastating mudslide in a remote northwest China town on Sunday by June next year.Each mudslide-hit family in rural areas is eligible for a 20,000 yuan (2,941 U.S. dollars) subsidy to rebuild their home if it has been destroyed or 4,000 yuan if their home has been damaged. Each urban family whose home was destroyed can receive 25,000 yuan.

Local authorities said 7,038 tents, 20,000 quilts, 2,000 cotton coats, 5,000 sleeping bags, 8,000 folding beds, 49,000 packages of instant food, 56,000 packages of mineral water, 230 electricity generators, and 5,000 kilograms of flour had arrived in Zhouqu as of noon Wednesday.

Rescuers