[1]Eighteen people were killed in a landslide triggered by torrential rain in China’s Shaanxi Province, local authorities said on Wednesday.
Torrential rain hit Lueyang county from early hours on Tuesday triggering 5,000 cubic meters of landslide to engulf 12 houses in the county seat, they said.
Rescuers pulled out 20 people, 17 of whom died on the spot, one died after treatment failed, and two others were injured and are being treated in hospital.
The local government sent more than 400 people to the spot for rescue operations.
Rescuers have ended search operation early on Wednesday and the Provincial Highway 309 has been cleared up and traffic is expected to be resumed later in the morning, Xinhua news agency quoted local officials as saying.
More heavy rains are expected to hit the southern part of Shaanxi in the following 24 hours, the weather forecast said.
Local flood control authorities are on high alert and are evacuating people living in low-lying areas and places threatened by possible heavy rains and ensuing mountain torrents.
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[1] http://archive.asianage.com/chinajpg-476