CHENGDU: Twenty-two people are dead and seven missing after torrential rains triggered floods in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Another 38 people were reported injured.

People walk on mudslide in Miyi County, Panzhihua City, southwest China's Sichuan Province Monday July 27, 2009. [Xinhua]

The downpour hit Miyi County, Panzhihua City, for about 20 hours from Sunday evening, damaging 95 houses and 533 hectares of farmland up to 3:30 p.m., said the provincial government's emergency response office.

Heavy rains have hit most part of southwest and east China, triggering floods, landslides and mud-rock flows.

A landslide in Sichuan Province on Saturday killed at least six people and destroyed a bridge that is a key link for the reconstruction of Wenchuan County, epicenter of the 8-magnitude earthquake in May last year.

In southwest China's Guizhou Province, torrential rains from Sunday morning destroyed 17 houses and damaged more than 5 kilometers of highways. Landslides in Guiyang City blocked roads to Baihuahu Township.

About 17,500 people were evacuated up to Monday after heavy rains swept eastern Jiangxi Province for four days. More than 120 houses collapsed and 17,000 hectares of farmland were damaged.

Direct economic losses were estimated at 225 million yuan (US$33 million), according to the provincial headquarters of flood control and drought relief.