Torrential rain and strong winds battered Anyue, in Sichuan province, causing 20 injuries and economic losses of nearly 6 million yuan (around £70,000).

Footage filmed on April 11 shows cars trapped in floods, strong winds tore up houses and knocked down trees. Firefighters were seen clearing broken street lamps and the rescue operations are still ongoing.

In some towns, there was short-term heavy rainfall and power outage. Many hoardings, scaffolding, billboards and outdoor vehicles were damaged. Trees collapsed and roads were blocked in some sections.

By the morning of April 12, more than 100 people have been rescued and evacuated, including more than 10 students trapped in an alley behind a primary school.

Recently, the continuous sunny weather in the eastern part of Sichuan led to a high atmospheric temperature, and large energy accumulated near the ground.

However, since April 11, the cold air from the north moved southward. Then the atmosphere easily formed an unstable stratification, which was cold at the top and warm at the bottom. That was the fundamental cause of this severe convective weather.

The video was provided by local media with permission.

Torrential rains and strong winds batter Chinese southern county, Anyue, in Sichuan province, causing 20 injuries and direct economic losses of nearly 6million yuan(about 70,000 pound).