A dozen newly appointed officials have taken office in a flood-hit town in northeast China's Jilin Province after incompetence led to villagers' deaths, authorities said Thursday.

The Huadian city committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) made the appointments after three officials in Changshan Town were sacked Saturday for failing to discharge water from the Dahe Reservoir, said Liu Yanchun with the Huadian city committee of the CPC.

The decision not to discharge the water left more than 40 people dead or missing after the reservoir breached its banks last Wednesday, Liu said.

The 12 new officials took office in Changshan Town, Huadian city, immediately after being appointed.

They were appointed for their outstanding rescue and relief work, Liu said.

"The people here need leadership to confront the difficulties," he added.

Rainstorms have pelted Jilin Province since late July, and the rain-triggered floods have left 74 people dead and 71 missing as of Tuesday.

More rains are forecast to pound the province, posing more difficulties for the rescue and relief work.