The death toll from a landslide triggered by flooding in China has risen to 25, with 12 more people missing.

The avalanche of mud and rock caused by torrential rains engulfed 27 homes last Friday night in Lishui in the eastern province of Zhejiang.

Only one person among the 38 people inside the houses when the landslide struck escaped.

The landslide cut off power, damaged electricity circuits and set some houses on fire, according to local media reports.

Photos circulating online showed rescue personnel driving boats through village streets and helping residents escape through their windows.

“I saw the house in front of me was ablaze before it was buried by mud,” a 26-year-old survivor said.

“I heard people screaming for help from inside. But I really couldn’t get over to them.”

More than 2,300 rescuers and more than 60 digging machines were mobilised to search for people buried alive.

The flooding in Hunan, which has damaged crops, was the worst since record keeping began in 1961, provincial weather authorities said.

The local meteorological department forecast more rain for several days, warning of a risk of further landslides and crop damage.