Landslides triggered by torrential rains left three people dead and 56 others missing in southwest China's Yunnan Province, local authorities said Tuesday.

As of 11: 46 a.m., 38 people were injured in the disaster, including two serious cases, said the emergency response office of Zhaotong City.

The provincial government said in a press release that heavy rain battered Xiaohe Township of Qiaojia County in Zhaotong City early Tuesday, followed by flash floods and landslides that destroyed several homes in town.

The provincial government has sent a relief team and relief supplies to Zhaotong, including 200 tents, 1,000 quilts and 1,000 sets of clothing.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs has also sent a working team to help with the relief efforts.