Floods in north east China have killed as many as 54 people so far and have been described as the worst in 40 years. 97 people are still missing and 162,000 people have been displaced. The floods have caused damage to more than 30,000 houses – 6,000 houses have collapsed – as well as power supplies, and road and rail networks. More than 100,000 hectares of farmland have been affected and economic losses caused by the floods is expected to reach billions of U.S. Dollars, especially since the 3 provinces most badly affected are major grain producing areas.
The worst affected area is Liaoning province and especially the city of Fushun where most of the deaths were recoded. Huge relief efforts have now swung into action and relief camps have been set up for some of the evacuated. The floods have been caused by relentless heavy rainfall. Parts of Liaoning province saw an incredible 40cm in just 24 hours, according to China’s provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters
Jilin Province has also been badly hit, where 760,000 people have been affected and 14 people have been killed. Over 1,500 houses have been damaged in the province, and there are also reports of damage to dams and reservoirs. Further heavy rainfall is expected in Jilin Province in the coming days.
Heilongjiang Province has also suffered from severe flooding and 11 deaths have been reported as a result of floods, as well as extensive damage to property in the region. Levels of Songhua River were at one point over half a metre above danger levels. More than 60,000 people in Heilongjiang Province have been engaged in rescue efforts.
The three north eastern provinces most severely hit are also some of China’s main grain producers. Chinese authorities are said to be making financial support available to the grain-growers.
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Floods in South China
There has also been more flooding in southern China, where 8 people have been reported killed in the past 2 days in further flooding in China’s Guangdong province. The floods there are a result of Tropical Cyclone UTOR which hit the region on 15th and 16th August. The cyclone has killed 20 people in total, and damage or demolished almost 20,000 houses.
Sources: Relief Web
