Beijing, China (CNN) -- Flags lowered to half-staff Sunday across China and at the nation's embassies and consulates around the world to mourn the victims of deadly mudslides in northwestern Gansu provice. The mudslides killed 1,239 people and 505 are still missing, the state-run Xinhua news agency said Saturday. But residents of hard-hit Zhouqu County told CNN they believe the toll is much higher. Meanwhile, in southwestern China, already inundated by heavy downpours all summer, new rain-triggered landslides Saturday left at least 38 people missing, Xinhua said. Thousands of people and vehicles were stranded as roads become impassable in Sichuan province. The only highway linking Wenchuan County to Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan province, was submerged under 13 feet of water.
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NEW: Death toll rises to 1,239
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At least 38 people are missing in fresh landslides in Sichuan province
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China has been hit hard this summer's torrential rains
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Flags will fly at half staff and no public entertainment will be allowed Sunday
Students in @placeholder will start the fall semester 10 days late because some schools were buried or suffered severe damage.