Society
Natural catastrophes cost 1,113 lives
By Zhao Chunzhe (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-12-08 16:47
More than one thousand people on the mainland died from natural disasters by Nov 30 this year with a direct economic loss estimated at 200 billion yuan ($29.2 billion) the Nanfang Daily reported.
China's Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Civil Affairs have allocated 3.15 billion yuan ($461.4 million) to help affected areas with food and clothing in winter.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs demanded the relevant local civil departments make quick plans for carrying out the program.
Extreme weather frequents China with this year seeing a string of hard snow and heavy rain. Some places suffered repeatedly and more regions than normal were affected, which make a record high compared with the same period in history.
A total of 1,113 died, with 206 missing, 6.7 million people were relocated, as well as 841,000 houses collapsed and 3.3 million more damaged, the report said.
