Updated at 9:16 p.m. local time, August 19:

Five missing people were confirmed dead after the flash flood in Datong County, northwest China's Qinghai Province, local authorities said on Friday.

The death toll now stands at 23, with 23 others rescued. Eight people are still unaccounted for.

Updated at 8:30 p.m. local time, August 19:

One more body was found on Friday, taking the death toll to 19 in the mountain torrent disaster that was triggered by heavy rain in Qinghai Province.

Twelve people remain missing. 

Updated at 6:30 p.m. local time, August 19:

The death toll has risen to 18 and 13 people remain unaccounted for as of Friday afternoon at 5:00 p.m., according to the rescue team. 

A total of 23 people have been rescued so far.

Updated at 9:30 p.m. local time:

At least 17 people died and 17 people are missing as of 8 p.m. Thursday after flash flooding hit two towns in Datong County, according to China Media Group.  

More than 2,000 people were deployed on the scene in search and rescue operations. 

Updated at 2:50 p.m. local time: 

As of 2:00 p.m. local time, 20 people have been rescued, according to local authorities.

Updated at 2:24 p.m. local time:

Sixteen people were killed and 36 are missing after a sudden downpour triggered mountain flooding and caused a river to change course in northwest China's Qinghai Province, said local authorities on Thursday.

The mountain torrent hit Datong Hui and Tu Autonomous County on Wednesday night, affecting 6,245 people in six villages.

China's Ministry of Emergency Management has sent a team to Qinghai to facilitate the rescue.

Rescue missions are underway.