Disease fears in China flood zones as relief operations stepped up
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-07 16:03

China was working to control the outbreak of disease in Hunan, Sichuan and Guizhou provinces where torrential downpours have left over 160 dead or missing, Xinhua news agency said.

A Chinese villager mourns the loss of his family during the mountain torrents in Xinshao county, in central China's Hunan province, June 2, 2005. Torrential rains and floods hit central and southwestern China provinces, including Hunan, Sichuan and Guizhou, the local media reported.The Chinese goverment is stepping up its efforts in controlling the outbreak of epidemic in disaster-hit Hunan, Sichuan and Guizhou provinces. [newsphoto/Reuters]

From late May until June 3, 88 people have died from flooding in the three provinces and another 73 are missing, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said in the latest figures posted on its website.

Xinhua news agency reported over the weekend that up to 200 people had died and 73 were missing in the flooding, but officials at the ministry said Monday the number of fatalities was accumulated since the beginning of the year.

"We have demanded that strong and effective rescue operations be organized in the areas hit by disaster," Vice Premier Hui Liangyu was quoted by the ministry as saying.

"We must safely and appropriately evacuate those people in disaster areas."

Rains continued to fall throughout the region on Monday.

Disease is a major threat in the worst-hit areas, the China Daily reported, with at least three people being struck down by typhoid in Hunan's Xinshao County.

Local governments have stockpiled typhoid and diarrhea inoculations which are to be given free of charge to flood victims.

Up until June 3, economic losses in the three provinces were estimated at 2.47 billion yuan (298 million dollars), with 69,000 homes collapsing and 198,000 homes damaged, the ministry said.

Some 215,000 people have been evacuated, it added.

The hardest hit area was Hunan where over 4.7 million people were affected, 203,000 people evacuated and economic losses estimated at 2.29 billion yuan, the ministry said.

Hundreds of government officials and soldiers were working in the disaster-hit areas to rescue survivors and find the missing, and to disinfect areas to prevent disease outbreaks.

They were also working to mend damaged roads, repair power and telecommunications infrastructure, and provide food, water, clothes and temporary shelter for the displaced.

Television images showed people wading through waist-high flood water.

The central government has earmarked 18 million yuan in emergency relief funds for Hunan, while the provincial governments of the three provinces have allocated some 15 million yuan.

The government has dispatched rice, clean water and other emergency materials.

Thousands of people perish every year from floods, landslides and mud flows in China, with millions left homeless, and officials have warned this year's floods could be worse than usual.

The China Meteorological Administration warned last month of an "apocalyptic" summer of severe drought and floods.

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