A mud-rock flow hit at least two villages in southwest China's Yunnan Province early on Wednesday, destroying houses and a small hydropower station, but the casualties remain unclear as communications and roads were cut off.

The scene of a mud-rock flow at Niulangdang village in the Gongshan Autonomous County of Dulong and Nu nationalities on Wednesday, July 30, 2008.

The mud-rock flow, triggered by rainstorms in the past few days, devastated Galabo and Niulangdang villages in the Gongshan Autonomous County of Dulong and Nu nationalities, according to Wang Dingbin, a local border police officer.

There were reports of injuries in Galabo and of a nearby 48,000-kw hydropower station destroyed in the mud-rock flow, according to Wang.

Communications and roads have been cut off. Rescuers are trekking to the village to help with disaster relief.

In Niulangdang, two people, including a child, were injured. The mud flow also destroyed five homes, a stone bridge and killed 20 livestock.

Police have evacuated more than 150 residents in Niulangdang.

The rescue work is still under way in the area.

The scene of a mud-rock flow at Niulangdang village in the Gongshan Autonomous County of Dulong and Nu nationalities on Wednesday, July 30, 2008.

The scene of a mud-rock flow at Niulangdang village in the Gongshan Autonomous County of Dulong and Nu nationalities on Wednesday, July 30, 2008.

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2008)