Continuous downpours have triggered severe floods in a county in southwest China's Guizhou province, leaving 14 dead and 35 missing by 8 am on Tuesday.

The flooding also forced the relocation of 45,000 residents in Wangmo County of Qianxinan Prefecture, the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters said in a statement.

Flood waters inundated the county seat and caused temporary power and water supply disruptions there and also cut telecommunication services in seven towns, it said.

Water level in the Wangmo River was three meters higher than the recommended safe level after the torrential rain that lasted from 8 am Sunday to 8 am Monday.

The provincial meteorological center forecast that further heavy rain would batter the southern parts of Qianxinan, Qiannan and Qiandongnan prefectures from Monday night to Tuesday.