CHONGQING, May 24 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and another 17 were unaccounted for after heavy rain battered Yongchuan District in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality starting Saturday night, said local authorities.

A heavy rainstorm hit the district from Saturday night to Sunday morning. The Chashanzhuhai subdistrict logged the maximum rainfall of 296.6 mm between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Sunday, with a maximum hourly rainfall intensity of 103.6 mm, according to the on-site command headquarters for flood control and rescue operations.

Rescue and response efforts are currently underway in full swing.