Rain-soaked residents of south-western China began digging out today after floods and landslides that killed at least 161 people, while authorities warned of further rains over parts of the disaster area.

RESCUERS battled to reach thousands of people trapped by floods and mudslides in southwest China as the death toll from some of the worst storms in years rose to 107 with another 88 missing.

Torrential floods in south-west China have claimed at least 76 lives, prompting beleaguered local officials to seek help today from the military in rescuing hundreds trapped by mudslides and caved-in roads, state media reported.