Heavy rains have killed one person and left another 16 missing in Fugu County in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, local authorities said Monday.

Continuous rains have battered the area since Friday, affecting 88,600 people in five cities, the provincial flood control headquarters said.

The provincial government has sent rescue teams to the county, searching for the 16 missing.

About 6,500 local residents were relocated to escape possible geological hazards triggered by the heavy rains. Enditem