Dozens killed in China landslides

At least 127 people have died and 2,000 are missing in mudslides caused by heavy rain in northwestern China, the country's state media reports. Chinese authorities have deployed the army to help with the rescue operations.

Residents walk across a bridge covered with water in the flooded area of Poyang, Jiangxi province, on 21 July 2010 Reuters

China is battling its worst flood in a decade as 50,000 are affected by rising waters in the mainly Tibetan area of Gansu province. At one point, half of the Zhouqu county was submerged by floods, China’s state media reported.

In Gansu, more than 20,000 people were evacuated and at least one village was entirely buried in mud. Chinese media have broadcast pictures of residents wading through mud and pictures of building swept off their foundations.

The landslides swept houses, cars, and roads away, hampering rescue operations for the 3,000 soldiers and 100 doctors who were sent to help.

"The water of the Bailong River flowed into the county seat and many people were trapped," Diemujiangteng, the head of Zhouqu county told the AFP wire service.

"Now the sludge has become the biggest problem to rescue operations. It's too thick to walk or drive through."

The downpours which triggered the floods on Saturday have now stopped but more rain is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is travelling to the region and called on rescue teams to spare no effort in trying to save those endangered by the floods.