Floods cause 4 bln yuan of losses in Heilongjiang

HARBIN -- Floods triggered by heavy rain have resulted in direct economic losses of over 4 billion yuan ($580 million) in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, local authorities said Tuesday.

The province has seen 2.5 times more precipitation since mid-July than the amount during the same period in previous years.

Water levels in 15 major rivers, including the Heilongjiang and Nenjiang rivers, have exceeded their warning levels, according to the provincial flood control headquarters.

Around 355,000 hectares of farmland have been flooded, resulting in the loss of more than 420,000 tonnes of crops.

More than 50,000 residents have been evacuated due to flooding. No casualties were reported.