Three people were missing and more than 400 others had been evacuated after torrential rain in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, said local authorities Wednesday.

The floodwaters washed away three people in Fengzhen City in southern Ulanqab on Tuesday afternoon, said the regional civil affairs department.

"The rain came abruptly. In some parts of the city, the water is waist deep," a rescuer said Tuesday.

The floodwaters had mostly receded by Wednesday morning.

More than 400 people in Liangchang County, Xinghe County and Fengzhen City of Ulanqab had been evacuated. More than 20,000 yuan (2,929 U.S.dollars) in disaster relief had been issued, said the department.