BEIJING: The death toll from hail and rain storms in a mountainous area in northwest China has risen to 37.

The official Xinhua News Agency says that another 19 people are missing and that power supplies and telecommunications networks have been disrupted in Minxian County in Gansu province.

Xinhua said Saturday that nearly 30,000 people were evacuated following the storm, which battered the county over two days starting Thursday.

Relief teams have taken blankets and clothing into the area, although some roads are blocked, making rescue efforts difficult.