KUNMING - Two people were confirmed dead after downpours battered a plateau region in Southwest China's Yunnan province, the local flood control authority said Friday.

The flood control office in Deqin county, sitting 3,300 meters above sea level, confirmed that one person was killed after his home was toppled by a landslide and another was killed by a falling bridge after it was hit by a flash flood.

A spokesman with the office said the rain had damaged homes of 542 villagers and brought traffic to a halt.

Police and soldiers have been sent to assist in the rescue work.

The county is located 800 km from the provincial capital of Kunming. The local observatory forecast that thundershowers and hail will continue in the region over the weekend.