2 killed, over 540,000 affected as heavy rainfall hits Fujian

FUZHOU - Two people have been killed and over 540,000 affected as torrential rains triggered floods and damage in east China's Fujian Province since earlier this month, local authorities said Thursday.

The provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters said six rounds of heavy rainfall swept 27 counties and cities of the province from June 3 to 14, with nearly 544,000 people affected.

More than 1,200 houses collapsed and 45,800 hectares of crops were damaged due to rainstorms. Infrastructural facilities such as bridges, power plants, telecommunication lines and riverbanks were also damaged.

Meanwhile, transportation in the province was seriously affected including the suspension of railway and bus services, roads being cut off and an airport being closed due to floods.

So far, direct economic losses in Fujian are estimated at 6.2 billion yuan (about 901 million US dollars).

A total of 82,300 people were relocated from dangerous areas, authorities said.