BEIJING -- China earmarked 485 million yuan (about $70.7 million) for drought relief and post-disaster reconstruction, in late May, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The funds were allocated to drought-stricken regions in northern China where over 100,000 square kilometers of farmland has been in the grip of drought since mid-April, as well as to quake-stricken areas in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Eight deaths have been reported and another 23 were injured in the Magnitude 5.5 quake that jolted Taxkorgan county at 5:58 am on May 11. Over 1,500 houses were destroyed or badly damaged.

The ministry said it would keep an eye on weather changes and continue to provide financial support for disaster-hit regions