HEAVY rain across western China has caused more mudslides and flooding, killing at least 29 people and trapping more than 10,500 in the latest natural disasters to hit the country, state media said yesterday.

China issued a rare public appeal for rescue equipment today as it struggled to cope with the aftermath of this week’s earthquake.

China ordered 101 more helicopters into the air today and planned aid drops into remote areas of Sichuan province as it struggled to cope with the powerful earthquake that has directly affected 10 million people.