BEIJING - China's central government has appropriated a budget of 160 million yuan ($24.2 million) to cover disaster relief work in a city in East China's Jiangsu province, which was hit by tornado Thursday.

Heavy rain, hailstorms and a tornado battered parts of Yancheng city in Jiangsu on Thursday, leaving 98 people dead and 846 injured.

The budget will cover relocation and resettlement, living support, housing reconstruction and agriculture-related costs.

More than 8,600 houses, two elementary schools and eight factories were damaged as gales of over 100 km per hour battered several outer townships in Funing and Sheyang counties.

The Ministry of Finance said it was closely following weather developments across the country and would release more relief funds when,and if, needed.