2010-07-07 11:47

XINING - Five people are dead and eight are missing after torrential rains caused flash floods in Huangyuan county, Northwest China's Qinghai province, according to the county government.

The heavy rain started to pound six towns of Huangyuan at around 10 pm Tuesday, triggering floods, which cut transport links as well as power and water supplies, said a spokesman with the county government.

More than 80 residential buildings collapsed in the floods and more than 770 families had water flowing into their homes.

The intense rain stopped about 40 minutes later.

Disaster relief operations were underway, said the spokesman.

The county government is still assessing the losses.