Beijing, May 9 (RHC)-- A landslide at a Chinese construction site has killed at least 22 people, with 17 others still listed as missing.  Media reports that heavy rain on Sunday triggered a landslide which destroyed a temporary shed used by workers at the site of a hydropower project in China's southeastern province of Fujian, burying them under mud and rocks.

China's official news agency, Xinhua, reports that rescue efforts -- with more than 600 rescuers, including firefighters and police -- were underway despite persistent rain that has made the operation more difficult.

The National Meteorological Center warned that heavy rain could cause more landslides in the area.  President Xi Jinping called for "maximum efforts" for the rescue while Prime Minster Li Keqiang urged the Ministry of Land and Resources to coordinate with local authorities on the search and rescue mission.

The National Meteorological Center has also warned the residents to beware of possible landslides brought on by the heavy rain.