40 killed in worst flooding in decades in China

At least 40 people have been killed and 32 are missing in heavy rains in northeast and southeast China while thousands of rescuers have been engaged in relief efforts to deal with the worst flooding seen in decades.

Beijing: At least 40 people have been killed and 32 are missing in heavy rains in northeast and southeast China while thousands of rescuers have been engaged in relief efforts to deal with the worst flooding seen in decades.

Liaoning Province today reported 15 deaths, bringing the death toll from the severe floods to 40 in the area, state-run Xinhua news agency.

Thirty-two others went missing after downpours drenched Fushun city on Friday and Saturday, local officials said.

Dams were damaged and businesses suspended operation in the city.
Some 349 houses collapsed and 1.39 lakh houses were damaged. A total of 4,000 people are in need of temporary shelters.

The power and water supply in the town were cut off after the torrential rain.
In the whole province, about 100,000 people have been evacuated and nearly 800,000 were affected in the floods after downpours with a maximum precipitation of 400 millimetres within 24 hours hit Liaoning.

Some 113,333 hectares of farmland were also affected in the floods.

The economic losses caused by the floods in Liaoning were estimated to reach more than USD 340.5 million, the Xinhua report said.

More than 1.10 lakh people are participating in disaster relief efforts in Liaoning.
Northeast China has been hit by the worst flooding in decades this summer, the report said.

Floods hit a residential community in Hongshi Township, Huadian City, Jilin Province on Friday, leaving 14 dead.

About 7.60 lakh in 211 townships of 28 counties in Jilin were affected by the floods.

Some 1,633 houses collapsed and 17 reservoirs were damaged, according to the Jilin provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters.

The water levels of seven rivers and 33 reservoirs have gone beyond their danger lines, rescue headquarters said.

According to weather forecasts, another more rainfall is expected to hit the province in the next week, which will dampen the flood relief efforts.
Heilongjiang Province reported 11 flood-related deaths.

The floods have destroyed more than 2,500 houses and severely damaged at least 12,500 others, with direct economic losses estimated at USD 1.15 billion.

The water levels of Songhua River and Heilongjiang River, two major rivers in the province, have been on the rise over the past week.

More than 60,000 people in Heilongjiang Province have been engaged in rescue efforts.

Premier Li Keqiang said at an executive meeting of the State Council on Friday that more drought relief and flood prevention efforts are needed as autumn grain production enters its key phase.

Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang are major grain-producing provinces in China.

PTI

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