Rain storms' rising toll: 235 dead, 109 missing
Source: Xinhua |
June 26, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE death toll from storms that have pounded southern China for more than a week has climbed to 235, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
With 109 people missing and more rain expected, the toll is expected to rise.
The likelihood of more rain threatens to hamper rescue efforts that have seen about 3 million people evacuated from their homes.
Almost 2 million hectares of farmland have been flooded, with 16 percent of the crops completely destroyed from heavy rains in the southern regions of Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangxi, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said yesterday.
About 239,000 homes have collapsed and 640,000 been damaged. Total economic losses are estimated at 53.4 billion yuan (US$7.9 billion).
More than 100,000 people were forced to flee their homes after the Fuhe River in Fuzhou City of Jiangxi Province breached its banks twice since Monday, according to the provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.
The first breach was 400 meters wide. Workers worked yesterday to narrow it down by at least 60 meters, hoping to fix it completely in six days, said Fan Tianyin, a senior officer of the hydropower engineering force of the armed police.
Fan said they had filled the breach with over 1,000 cubic meters of rocks and sand by 1pm and planned to dump 2,000 cubic meters more by today.
"We did not plan to fix the second breach, 130 meters wide, for now, but rather use it to channel out water. At the same time, we will keep a close eye on it to make sure it won't cause trouble," said Hong Quanxiang with the provincial Water Resources Department.
As the first breach is narrowed, water will flow faster, making it more difficult to block it completely, said Fan.
"What we most worry about is when can the breach be fixed and people return home," said Luo Hongliu whose parents had been evacuated from a nearby village.
Fan said they would do their utmost to fix it in six days and not let the people down.
Prices of the most basic necessities had not jumped after 100,000 people were relocated to the downtown area of Fuzhou. Only vegetables were slightly pricier.
Fuzhou has 20 resettlements accommodating more than 30,000 people. The other 70,000 are staying with relatives and friends.
The municipal civil affairs bureau has distributed 50,000 kilograms of rice, 20,000 boxes of bottled water, 15,000 boxes of instant noodles and 12,000 boxes of biscuits.
Premier Wen Jiabao visited Fuzhou on Thursday to inspect the fight against flooding. He asked officials to send more relief funds and materials to ensure that flood victims get basic living needs.
With 109 people missing and more rain expected, the toll is expected to rise.
The likelihood of more rain threatens to hamper rescue efforts that have seen about 3 million people evacuated from their homes.
Almost 2 million hectares of farmland have been flooded, with 16 percent of the crops completely destroyed from heavy rains in the southern regions of Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangxi, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said yesterday.
About 239,000 homes have collapsed and 640,000 been damaged. Total economic losses are estimated at 53.4 billion yuan (US$7.9 billion).
More than 100,000 people were forced to flee their homes after the Fuhe River in Fuzhou City of Jiangxi Province breached its banks twice since Monday, according to the provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.
The first breach was 400 meters wide. Workers worked yesterday to narrow it down by at least 60 meters, hoping to fix it completely in six days, said Fan Tianyin, a senior officer of the hydropower engineering force of the armed police.
Fan said they had filled the breach with over 1,000 cubic meters of rocks and sand by 1pm and planned to dump 2,000 cubic meters more by today.
"We did not plan to fix the second breach, 130 meters wide, for now, but rather use it to channel out water. At the same time, we will keep a close eye on it to make sure it won't cause trouble," said Hong Quanxiang with the provincial Water Resources Department.
As the first breach is narrowed, water will flow faster, making it more difficult to block it completely, said Fan.
"What we most worry about is when can the breach be fixed and people return home," said Luo Hongliu whose parents had been evacuated from a nearby village.
Fan said they would do their utmost to fix it in six days and not let the people down.
Prices of the most basic necessities had not jumped after 100,000 people were relocated to the downtown area of Fuzhou. Only vegetables were slightly pricier.
Fuzhou has 20 resettlements accommodating more than 30,000 people. The other 70,000 are staying with relatives and friends.
The municipal civil affairs bureau has distributed 50,000 kilograms of rice, 20,000 boxes of bottled water, 15,000 boxes of instant noodles and 12,000 boxes of biscuits.
Premier Wen Jiabao visited Fuzhou on Thursday to inspect the fight against flooding. He asked officials to send more relief funds and materials to ensure that flood victims get basic living needs.
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