( CNN ) -- A landslide the size of a small town has killed at least 18 people and toppled 11 buildings in southwest China , state-run media said , citing local authorities . The disaster occurred in Sichuan province 's Dujiangyan city on Wednesday , the Xinhua state news agency reported . By Thursday afternoon , the number of people reported missing had climbed to 107 , from 21 the previous day . Rescuers continue to dig through 53 million cubic feet of dirt in search of them . The forecast calls for less rain , which should make the search easier . Flooding that triggered the landslide has affected 1.5 million people and inundated tens of thousands of acres of crops . The torrents have plagued the mountainous region since Monday , smashing bridges and knocking out power to thousands . They have washed away property worth more than $ 40 million , provincial officials said . Zhang Jiuchun is an interior designer living in Mianyang , the second-largest city in Sichuan . He told CNN in a phone interview that flooding , landslides and mudslides have paralyzed highway and rail services in many parts of the province . Zhang said suburban areas have been hit the hardest . `` I think it 's the worst since 1998 , '' Zhang said of the disaster , referring to major flooding sweeping across China over a decade ago . Xinhua also reported that more than 400 stranded people have been securely moved out of Dujiangyan . In January : 46 dead after landslide in southwest China .
Authorities report More than 400 dead , 107 missing after rain-induced landslide in Dujiangyan . 18 residents stranded in Sichuan province have been evacuated . Flooding has deluged 81,000 acres of crops , caused more than $ 40 million in losses .