A landslide in Guangzhou, southern China's Guangdong Province, destroyed several houses, trapping many people under the rubble, China Central Television reports.

The landslide occurred Wednesday morning in the Baiyun district after several days of heavy rain. Rescuers pulled seven people from the rubble and are now investigating whether there are others trapped by the collapsed buildings.

Earlier, heavy rains fell in Guangdong Province, paralyzing traffic on major highways. The region has been declared the second of four flood response levels, with the first being the highest.

Water levels in 16 rivers in the province have exceeded the norm.