Heavy downpours triggered landslides and mud-rock flows in Zhouqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu Province, early Sunday morning.

The rescue headquarters in Zhouqu estimated that 1,294 people are missing as of 9 p.m. Sunday. Earlier the provincial civil affairs department put the figure at nearly 2,000.

Another 117 were injured, including 29 in serious condition, as of 9:25 p.m.. In addition, 1,242 have been rescued from debris or brought to safety from places such as tops of buildings.

About 45,000 people have been evacuated, according to a statement from the provincial civil affairs department.

The water level in the county seat of Chengguan Township had declined by 40 cm, after floodwaters carrying mud and rocks submerged half the town in the small hours on Sunday, said Mao Shengwu, head of the prefecture.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao instructed the Gansu provincial government and other related departments to spare no efforts to save lives.

The China National Committee for Disaster Reduction, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters and the Ministry of Civil Affairs have lifted the national disaster relief response level to grade II, the second highest level.