The death toll from Typhoon Damrey in China's southernmost
island province of Hainan
rose to 25 as of Thursday, Governor Wei Liucheng told China News
Service, adding that casualties and economic losses were heavier
than expected.
A special government work group led by Cheng Dianlong, vice
director of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief
Headquarters, has reported that the damage caused by Damrey in
Hainan is more severe than the central government?had
expected.
According to the team's investigations, the major cause of death
was accidents, including falling trees, landslides and
torrents.
Economic losses were estimated at 11.6 billion yuan (about
US$1.5 billion). Damrey has almost wiped out the province's
aquaculture industry and has severely damaged this season's farm
yield of rubber, tropical fruit and vegetables as well as the power
grid system and water conservancy facilities.
The resort island has managed to restore 85 percent of its power
supply, and has allocated 26.5 million yuan (US$3 million) in
relief funds to ensure that survivors have sufficient food, clothes
and shelter. Local government is also hopeful that the coming
National Day holiday week will bring in some profits to help ease
the situation.
The team's final report will be submitted to the central
government so that solutions and suggestions can be worked out for
further disaster relief, Cheng added.
(Xinhua News Agency, Chinanews.com September 30, 2005)