Snowstorms in northeast China last month caused losses of 14 billion yuan, mainly in crop and building damage, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The snow accounted for the vast majority of the 15.33 billion yuan (1.96 billion U.S. dollars) in losses incurred by natural disasters in March, when losses totaling 15 billion yuan in March were more than the previous two months combined.

Almost 6.5 million people were affected by the disasters, almost double the number of January and February, said a statement from the ministry.

Last month, 956,000 hectares of crops were affected by natural phenomena and 8,000 houses were damaged.

Most of stricken areas were hit by severe droughts and snowstorms, with floods, landslides and earthquakes accounting for the rest, the statement said.

Severe droughts hit Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, Ningxia, Hainan and strong snowstorms and winds swept northeast and north China, according to the circular.

Source: Xinhua