SW China rainstorms affect 111,000

CHENGDU - Rainstorms have affected more than 111,000 people and left one woman missing in Southwest China's Sichuan province, said provincial authorities on Thursday.

Heavy rain started to batter Sichuan on Tuesday evening, according to the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters.

Rescuers have been sent to search for the missing woman in Guanzhuang township of Guangyuan city.

As of 12 am on Thursday, local governments have relocated about 2,700 residents to avoid risks of geological disasters.

The earthquake-stricken Ya'an city, which was jolted by a 7.0-magnitude quake on April 20 this year, also received strong storms.

The Sichuan Provincial Meteorological Bureau forecasted that the province will receive strong rainfall on Thursday and Friday. It also issued an alert on flood and landslide risks.