Further to our report of 26 May 2014 about the floods sweeping across southern China, an update from the Chinese Government in the last 24 hours states that the flooding has worsened and has now affected 9 provinces.
The flooding has spread to other provinces in southern and central China. Initially the floods struck in Guangdong, Guizhou, Hunan and Jiangxi, but areas affected now include Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan, Fujian and Guangxi.
The severe weather appears to have moved northwards and it is the central province of Hunan that is currently experiencing some of the worst of the flooding. Authorities issued a red alert flood warning after many parts of the proviince saw long periods of heavy rain.
A total of 5.51 million people have been affected in total Around 75,000 houses have either been damaged or destroyed and 447,000 people displaced.
As expected, the death toll has also risen from 19 to 37. This figure may again be revised upwards after authorities have had chance to thoroughly assess the situations. As of early today 27 May 2014, there are some initial reports claiming that the death toll could go up to 45 after 8 more fatalities were recoded in Hunan. 6 people are still missing in floods across the region.
Guangdong has suffered the worst of the flooding, where 17 people have died so far and 3 people remain missing in the province.
Xinhua, the Chinese government News Agency, says that as many as 264,800 hectares of crops have been destroyed by the floods, causing economic losses of around $1.18 billion.
Source and photo: Xinhua
