Beijing, July 4 (IANS) At least 125 people fell ill Sunday due to chlorine gas leak from a chemical plant that was damaged in a mudslide in China, officials said.

The incident took place in southwest Sichuan province, Xinhua reported.

Around 60 victims were still in hospital in Nanxin town, said officials from the provincial health department.

Heavy downpour has wreaked havoc in southern and southwestern China since Saturday.

In Maoxian county, eight people went missing after a mudslide that also damaged three factories and dozens of houses Sunday.

The mudslides also damaged several highways in Wenchuan county, holding up around 7,000 motor vehicles, traffic police said.

Several areas in Sichuan have recorded around 100 mm of rainfall.

The continuous rains have caused cave-ins, and change of river courses in Wenchuan county, officials said.