Three people died and 19 others were missing after a mudslide on Monday morning hit Dai-Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture of Dehong, southwest China's Yunnan Province, said local authorities.

The disaster ravaged the Lyuying at around 6 a.m., toppling 13 houses and damaging two roads, said a spokesman with the prefecture's publicity bureau.

Four people were injured and 79 others evacuated to safety, said the spokesman.

Rescue efforts are underway.