The death toll had reached 26 as of 19:00 Friday as a result of the floods and landslides caused by torrential rains in the Ili River Valleys, in northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Three persons remain missing, and the probability of their survival is relatively low, local government officials said.

The floods swept through three villages and towns in Gongliu and Nilka counties, destroying more than 1,400 houses and barns and more than 1,333 hectares of farmland. Over 1,000 head of cattle were also killed in the flooding.

Local government officials rushed to the scene to organize rescue operations, and the local residents affected, mainly herdsmen and farmers, have been evacuated.

Rescue work is ongoing at press time.

(People's Daily June 7, 2003)