Economy

China rains, floods cause $12.1b loss

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-06-26 15:19

Rains and floods in southern China has caused an estimated economic loss of 82.4 billion yuan ($12.1 billion) and has displaced 4.54 million people, Office of National Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said on its website.

The disaster has killed 379 people and left 141 missing, the Ministry of Water Resources said Saturday, citing estimates by the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

Still, southern China is bracing for torrential rain on Saturday and early Sunday, the China Meteorological Administration warned this morning.

Related readings:  Flood toll: 377 dead, 147 missing  More rain expected for flood-hit areas in China  Farmers save pigs from flood  Flood damage insurance is a washout

Provinces including southern Zhejiang, Jiangxi, most of Fujian, Guangdong and central to southern Guangxi will receive heavy or torrential rain on Saturday, the agency said, urging local governments to prepare for disasters such as landslides.

Flooding in 2010 has thus far affected 68.7 million people in 22 provinces, municipalities and regions, as well as inundating about 4.4 million hectares (11.9 million acres) of crops, the office said on Saturday in a statement on its website.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited flood-hit Fuzhou city in the eastern province of Jiangxi on June 24 to inspect the fight against the flooding and review disaster relief work. Wen also asked local officials to send more funds and materials to ensure that basic living needs of flood victims are met.