The death toll has risen to 26 and five people remained unaccounted for as of 4:00 p.m. Sunday after heavy rain triggered a mountain torrent disaster in northwest China's Qinghai Province, according to rescuers. 

So far, a total of 23 people have been rescued. 

Heavy rainfall that started on Wednesday night has lashed Datong Hui and Tu Autonomous County in the provincial capital Xining, leading to sudden mud-rock flows.

Local government officials said electricity and access via damaged roads have been restored as relief work continues. 

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management on Thursday earmarked 50 million yuan (about $7.35 million) from the central natural-disaster relief fund to support the rescue relief in Qinghai.

(With input from Xinhua)