Flooding in Shaanxi province kills 11

Flooding caused by heavy rains has killed 11 people in Yulin, Shaanxi province in Northwest China and there is little relief in sight, with weather forecasters predicting more rain will hit the area from July 30 to Aug 1.

"From July 1 when the main flooding season started until July 29, 11 people were killed and 15 went missing in floods in Yulin," an official surnamed Liao with Shaanxi Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters told China daily on Monday.

Liao said some 150,800 people in the cities of Yulin and Yan'an in northern Shaanxi suffered from the disaster and the direct economic loss in the region reached 134 million yuan ($21 million).

"The heavy rain hit Yulin again on Monday morning and the road linking Yulin and Jiaxian, a county near Yulin that bore the brunt of the flooding, was cut off again. The road had been damaged by floods on July 27 and repaired on Sunday," said Liu Bo, director of the disaster relief office of Yulin City Civil Affairs Bureau on Monday.

China Daily was told by Jiaxian county's water supply company, that the pipe water supply in the county was cut off by floods on Saturday night. On Sunday the company sent 10 tankers with drinking water to local residents.

According to Liu Zhenquan, director of Yulin City Urban Flood Control Office, although there were some difficulties in supplying water to the county, there was no panic buying of bottled drinking water, and food and other necessities were readily available in supermarkets and shops.

Yulin City Roads Bureau said various sections of provincial roads 302, 204 and State road 210, were severely damaged by the floods and the bureau has made great efforts to repair them.

On July 27 and 28, Yulin airport canceled 26 flights due to the heavy rain. The airport reminded passengers to pay attention to the weather forecast and keep themselves informed of any flight changes.

The heavy rains also delayed four trains, stranding more than 23,000 passengers, at Yulin Railway Station. The passengers were all able to travel on Monday, said Chao Weihai, director of the station.

According to Liu Bo, the city's civil bureau has earmarked 9.63 million yuan for relief funds to help rebuilding efforts.

Shaanxi provincial meteorological observatory forecast heavy rains will hit most parts of the province from July 30 to Aug 1 and reminded people to pay close attention to potential floods and landslides.