Recent floods and flood-induced calamities have caused 124 people dead, 69 missing and the emergency relocation of 1.52 million people in south and east China by 4:00 PM Friday, according to the latest statistics.
The statistics from China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, which cover Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan and Guangdong provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, indicate a total of 18.85 million people have been impacted by serious floods, landslides and mudslides since mid-June. The direct economic losses amount to 13.3 billion yuan (approximately US$1.6 billion).
The statistics show Guangxi, Fujian and Guangdong were the worst hit, with 6.91 million people in Guangxi, 2.18 million people in Fujian and 2.56 million people in Guangdong having been affected by the calamities.
They also show that so far this year, floods and flood-induced calamities have caused 567 people dead, 165 missing and the emergency relocation of 2.46 million people in China, resulting indirect economic losses of 22.9 billion yuan (approximately US$2.77 billion).
The loss from floods of this period is heavier than the average level of the same periods since the 1990s, but still below the level in 1991 and 1998, according to sources with the ministry.
The governments at various levels have put in lots of resources, including funds and disaster relief materials, to combat the calamities.
(Xinhua News Agency June 25, 2005)
