The main flood season in 2005 has basically come to an end. Latest statistics from the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters show flood and waterlogging disasters of various degrees that have stricken 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities and Xinjiang Production and Construction Crops, have caused direct economic loss of 136 billion yuan and claimed 1,247 lives.

E Jingping, secretary general of Office of State Flood Control and Draught Relief Headquarters and vice Minister of Water Resources noted that during the flood season of 2005, great floods have occurred in the Pearl River drainage area, Minjiang River in Fujian Province, Hunhe River and Taizihe River in Liaohe River drainage area. Great flood also caused severe natural disasters such as mountain torrents, mud-rock flow as well as landslide in Hunan and Helongjiang.

According to statistics, 201.34 million people are affected by the floods that have killed 1,247 people and left another 331 missing in China in the major flood season this year; crops on 15.43 million hectares of farmland have been affected and 1.17 million houses ruined. Zhejiang, Fujian, Sichuan, Anhui, Guangxi, Hainan and Liaoning are hardest-hit by the floods.

So far seven hurricanes and tropical storms have landed the coastal regions in southeast and south China, claiming 190 lives and inflicting great losses in Fujian, Zhejiang, Hainan, Anhui provinces.

By People's Daily Online