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 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.

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2008)