Floods kill 70 in China, 32 still missing

BEIJING | Wed Sep 21, 2011 10:51am IST
 

(Reuters) - Floods and landslides triggered by heavy rain have killed at least 70 people in eight provinces in China, with 32 still missing, the government and state media said.

The rain, which began earlier this month, has caused 26 billion yuan ($4.1 billion) in damage, the Civil Affairs Ministry said on its website (www.mca.gov.cn) late on Tuesday.

Nearly 1 million people have also been forced to evacuate their homes.

The floods have been most severe in the northwestern province of Shaanxi and the southwestern province of Sichuan. Nearly 40 rivers in various parts of the country are in danger of breaching their banks, state radio said.

($1 = 6.384 Chinese Yuan)

(Reporting by Sally Huang and Ben Blanchard; Editing by Yoko Nishikawa)

Src : Reuters