Thousands of rescuers are searching for 15 people who remain missing after a flood and a mudslide hit a town in southwest China's Yunnan Province on Sunday.

The disasters left five people dead, 15 missing and seven others injured in Mengdong Township, Malipo County, while forcing the evacuation of more than 1,500 residents, according to the local rescue headquarters.

Maintenance workers are also repairing communications, electricity and water supplies damaged by the flood.

"It was raining hard and I heard strange sounds before water flooded in," said Xiao Bisheng, 48, owner of a construction materials shop. "The products outside the door and my van were all washed away."

About 400 soldiers and 2,000 government and public institution employees are taking part in the rescue operations.

The China National Commission for Disaster Reduction and the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) have activated a level-four emergency response to support local rescue efforts.