Floods following continuous rainstorms this week have claimed 21
lives and left nine other missing in Shaanxi Province, northwest
China, according to the province's flood control office.
The office said Saturday that serious floods have hit 32
counties, causing an economic loss of more than 500 million yuan
(US$60.45 million).
Luonan County in southern Shaanxi was worst hit by rainstorms
between Aug. 28-29, with 280,000 people being victimized.
Rainstorms also caused blackout of program-controlled and mobile
phone services in the county.
Guo Juncheng, director of the county public security bureau, and
two police officers were washed away by floodwater while trying to
relocate local people to safe places.
The rainfall in Shanxian County exceeded 300 mm in the last two
days. Landslides following heavy rains flattened houses with a
combined floor space exceeding 10,000 square meters.
Provincial government officials have urged concerned localities
to take emergency measures to guarantee that flood victims live a
normal life.
The province has sent three working groups to evaluate losses of
floods and deal with the aftermath of the disaster.
(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2003)
