CHENGDU, July 20 -- Rescuers braving heavy rain to search for more than 30 people, who lost contact after flash floods struck a village in southwest China's Sichuan Province at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, have found and brought four people to safety.

The rescue headquarters said Saturday evening that the four people had no life-threatening problems. The rescue forces are continuing to search for the others missing.

More than 30 people are unaccounted for, after the floods triggered by torrential rains damaged over 40 houses in Xinhua village in Hanyuan County, Ya'an City, Sichuan.

The disaster disrupted traffic on roads and bridges, and cut off communications in the area.

The disaster also disrupted roads, bridges and communications.

A local fire brigade with 217 rescuers and 55 vehicles has rushed to the scene. The Ministry of Emergency Management has also dispatched 29 rescue experts and 13 sets of rescue equipment, as well as drones to provide emergency communications.

In addition to 10,000 sets of relief materials previously allocated to the province, the central authorities will send another 40,000 sets, including folding beds, quilts and towels, to support local governments in evacuating and resettling the affected people and providing basic living assistance.

  - Xinhua