c

Direct economic losses from the four typhoons that have hit China this year have accounted for one-third of the nation's total flood damage, a national official said at a media briefing on Tuesday.

Damage from typhoons so far this year is 35 billion yuan ($5.47 billion). More than 1 million people in 11 provincial-level areas have been affected, according to Zhang Jiatuan, a spokesman for the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

"Typhoons that landed in China have caused significant economic losses this year, even though the number of people affected has decreased by nearly 45 percent compared with the same period in the years since 2000," Zhang said. Precautionary measures are needed, since two typhoons are expected to hit China next month, he added.