CHENGDU -- Forty-two people died and 25 are missing in floods in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Governor Jiang Jufeng said on Thursday.

Twelve million people in 55 counties have been affected by rainstorms and floods, causing estimated losses of 3.6 billion yuan, said Jiang.

Rainstorms began to hit Sichuan on July 2, and 43 counties had recorded precipitation of more than 100 mm by July 11 and four counties received more than 400 mm, the governor said.

Rainstorms caused floods in many areas and in Tongjiang county the flooding was the worst in 80 years.

Rainstorms also triggered 1,690 landslides and mud-rock flows.

Li Liguo, Vice Minister of Civil Affairs, has arrived in Sichuan to oversee disaster relief work. He praised flood control and relief work of the Sichuan authorities.

More than 150,000 people in Qujiang, seat of Quxian county, escaped early morning floods on July 7 thanks to timely warnings delivered by mobile phone text messages, loudspeakers and door-to-door visits.

The flood peak hit Qujiang at 3:00 a.m., submerging two thirds of the town's streets and inundating the ground floors of many homes, but no casualties were reported.

The Sichuan provincial government has earmarked 10 million yuan to help residents of Bazhong city, which was also badly affected.