Storms cause 27 deaths, heavy economic losses in central, east

Source: Xinhua | June 6, 2009, Saturday |

Online Edition

STORMS sweeping five provinces in central and east China killed 27 people and damaged more than 341,000 hectares of crops, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said yesterday.

As of 5 pm yesterday, parts of Henan, Anhui, Shanxi, Shandong and Jiangsu provinces had been hit by gales, hail and heavy rain.

The homes of about 4.44 million people were destroyed or damaged during the storm, with Henan and Anhui worst hit.

The storm, which began in Henan's Zhengzhou, Kaifeng and Shangqiu cities at Wednesday noon, caused an estimated 2.212 billion yuan (US$323.7 million) in losses, the ministry said.

Chinese meteorologists said the extreme weather, which comprised thunder, lightning, heavy rain, gales, hail and even tornadoes, was rare in these areas.

Wind gusts hit 104 kilometers per hour in Yongcheng City, Henan,the fastest recorded since 1957, said Wang Jianguo, head of the Henan Meteorological Bureau.

"It moved very quickly. It's rather difficult for us to make a forecast," Wang said.

Nation

About Us
|
Terms of Use
|
RSS
|
Privacy Policy
|
Contact Us
|
Shanghai Call Center: 962288
|
Tip-off hotline: 52920043

沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
|
互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
|
网络视听许可证：0909346
|
广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
|
增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012

Storms cause 27 deaths, heavy economic losses in central, east

Email this to your friend