Two survivors were found on August 11, though hopes were fading and rescuers were turning their efforts to finding bodies and preventing disease.

Large areas in Zhouqu county, Gansu province, were enveloped by landslides triggered by rain on August 7 night.

Rain is forecast for later this week, prompting fears of further landslides.

Heavy rain was already said to be falling in Zhouqu on August 11 and as much as 90mm (3.5in) of rain was forecast for August 13, the National Meteorological Centre reported.

It said the chance of more landslides was "relatively large".