Local residents in Xiahe County, Gansu Province, clear up debris left by floodwaters on August 20.

People's Daily Online reported that rains triggered mud-rock flows that hit seven villages in three towns on August 19. About 3,000 rooms in the county's houses are reported to have collapsed and more than 11,400 were flooded. Three people were killed and one was missing.

A 30-meter section of highway linking Xiahe and other regions was blocked by falling rocks and mud.

The report said the county government had mobilized staff for disaster-relief work.