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| Typhoon Death Toll Rises to 115 |
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Typhoon Bilis that brought rainstorms and floods across southeast China has resulted in the deaths of 115 people, according to official estimates on Sunday. Rainstorms hit Fujian Province when Bilis arrived at noon on Friday causing flooding and landslides. This left 43 dead, 24 missing and four injured. Ten of the missing were confirmed buried in a landslide in Zhangzhou at 1:00 AM on Sunday. Rescue work is underway but city officials believe the possibility of survivors being found is unlikely. Heavy rain in Fujian is continuing. Fourteen of the province's 68 counties and cities have recorded rainfall of more than 200 millimeters including two where rainfall exceeded 400 millimeters. Three million people have been affected by the flooding. Over 19,000 houses were destroyed and 519,000 people evacuated by 6:00 PM on Sunday. Rainstorms and floods destroyed 144,680 hectares of crops and forced 1,865 industrial and mining enterprises to close. It's estimated this has resulted in losses of 3 billion yuan (US$375 million). The Fujian provincial government has appropriated 4.3 million yuan (US$537,500) for relief aid and delivered 2,000 quilts, 6,000 boxes of food and 12,000 tents to victims. Aid has also been distributed in Hunan Province where at least 39 people died since the torrential rain started at dawn on Saturday. Rescuers have evacuated 262,000 people but 112,000 are cut off by flooding. At least 4.31 million people in Hunan have been affected by the natural disaster with 34,000 houses destroyed and 156,000 hectares of crops destroyed. The provincial government immediately allocated 9 million yuan (US$1.13 million) to ensure everyone has access to basic food and shelter. Floods have cut off two state-level and six province-level roads and damaged 15 bridges. Over 1,000 people in 100 vehicles had their journeys disrupted. The provincial government earmarked 4 million yuan (US$500,000) and dispatched 3,000 road workers to undertake repair work. Water levels in Leiyang have risen 10.11 meters since 3:00 PM Friday to a record 83.23 meters. The Hunan headquarters of flood and drought prevention are organizing soldiers to assist. In Guangdong Province where 33 people were killed by the storm and landslides 1.32 million people have been affected and 4,744 homes destroyed. About 10,000 workers are repairing the flooded section of the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway. Several trains have been cancelled and by 4:00 PM 25,000 tickets had been refunded. Water levels in many parts of the province are at historically high levels. Local meteorological departments say heavy rains will continue in Guangdong for the next few days. (Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2006) |
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