World Health Organization
China Floods
Update
05/08/02
Torrential rains that fell between 8 and 10 June affected a large part of
Northwest, Central and Southeastern China resulting in flooding, flash floods and
landslides. 19 provinces have been affected. The death toll stands at more than
600 people, which is the highest death toll since 1998. Approximately 110 million
people have been affected so far. Some one million people are homeless. A
vast amount of agricultural areas have been flooded and the economic losses
are currently estimated at USD 3 billion. The exact number of affected, and of
houses damaged or destroyed are still unconfirmed.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs is coordinating the relief efforts and the army has
been mobilized.