Floods, landslides kill 21, leave 4 missing in China

At least 21 people have been killed and four are missing in floods and landslides triggered by rains in northwest China's Gansu province, officials said. The floods and mudslides occurred in seven townships in the province, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported Saturday. Power lines and roads to nine villages have been cut due to heavy rains, government officials said. Rescue crews and government officials have been dispatched to these villages to assess damage there. Government officials in Tianshui said helicopters, excavators, generators, medicine and food, tents and quilts were needed for relief efforts. Heavy rains are expected to persist in the area for the next few days.