UPDATE - China: 33 missing in landslides after typhoon rains

UPDATES THROUGHOUT

By Mahmut Atanur

BEIJING (AA) – At least 33 people have been reported missing after landslides hit two villages in China’s eastern Zhejiang province following torrential rains related to Typhoon Megi.

State news agency Xinhua reported Thursday that 27 residents are missing in Sucun village of Suichang County after a landslide swept away houses and buildings Wednesday evening.

Another six people were later reported missing in Baofeng village of Wencheng County.

Zhou Ruichen, a Suichang County official, was quoted as saying that around 400,000 cubic meters "of debris slid down the mountains and buried 20 households",

"Seventeen homes were also flooded. A township cadre who rushed to help relocate villagers is among the missing," Zhou added.

Rescuers pulled around 13 people out of the debris in Sucun, where more than 1,460 residents were evacuated amid fears of smaller landslides. Rocks rolling down mountainous slopes have resulted in landslide dams along rivers.

Typhoon Megi struck the east of the mainland after leaving four people dead and more than 500 others injured in Taiwan.

Earlier this month, another typhoon -- Meranti -- left around 30 people dead and 15 missing in China and Taiwan.