As a result of heavy storms which continue to sweep through
southern
China provinces
at least 46 people have died and more than 120,000 have been
evacuated.
Among the flood-ravaged areas east China's Fujian Province has been hardest hit with 26
people killed since May 29, Li Baojun, an official in charge of
disaster relief with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, said
yesterday.
"Besides the deaths, 60,000-70,000 people have been relocated
after their houses collapsed or were damaged by floods or
rainfall," said Li. "The ministry has allocated 2,500 tents and the
provincial government has donated 6 million yuan (US$739,800) in
disaster relief funds for local people."
In Fuzhou, capital of Fujian Province, roads were blocked in 26
places by a series of landslides, causing an estimated loss of 1.05
million yuan (US$129,500) to the local economy, reported local
newspaper Fuzhou Daily. By Monday morning the roads had been
cleared and traffic returned to normal.
Meanwhile in south China's Guangdong Province 11 people died in floods
and 60,000-70,000 were evacuated, said Li.
Gales and hailstorms have also hit some parts of southwest
China's Guizhou Province and Chongqing Municipality.
And the current meeting of cold and warm air currents also
threatens to bring heavy rainfall to other parts of the country
over the coming days, the Central Meteorological Office warned
yesterday.
Rain will linger in southern Guizhou, southern and central Hunan, Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces, most parts of Fujian,
central and northern Guangxi and Guangdong, the office added.
(China Daily June 7, 2006)
