4 dead, 17 missing in NW China downpours

XI'AN - Continuous heavy rains have killed four people and left another 17 missing in Northwest China's Shaanxi province, local authorities said Tuesday.

The downpours have affected 122,800 people in five cities since last Friday, the provincial civil affairs department said.

The storms also destroyed 1,050 houses and flooded over 12,000 hectares of crops, the department said.

Local governments have relocated 1,683 people to avoid possible geological hazards triggered by the heavy rains.

The provincial government has sent rescue teams to disaster-affected regions.

Search and rescue operations for the missing are under way.