BEIJING - A LANDSLIDE in southwestern China has left at least 20 people dead and 42 others missing, state media said on Monday.

The deadly torrent of mud and rocks hit Chuxiong city in Yunnan province on Sunday, the official Xinhua News Agency said. The area has been pounded by heavy rains in recent days.

More than 1,000 houses collapsed or were damage in the disaster, the report said. Casualties were still being assessed, it said.

Tents, quilts and clothes are being sent to the affected areas, Xinhua said. It gave no other details. -- AP