Continuous rain kills 20 in NW China

Twenty people have been killed in rainstorms that have battered the city of Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi province since Sunday, said local authorities on Friday.

As of 7 pm, rain-triggered landslides and house collapses have led to casualties in Baota District of Yan'an, Yanchuan and Ansai Counties, according to the municipal flood control and drought relief headquarters.

Fifteen people have been injured while four others have gone missing, the headquarters said, addin that the injured are being treated at local hospitals.

The city has not seen rain of this duration since 2002. The risk of possible flooding or landslides is high.

The local government has sent rescuers and relief supplies to affected areas.