Torrential rain affects over 17,000 in Xinjiang

URUMQI - Flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rain have affected over 17,000 people in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the local government said Tuesday.

The rain, which started on Friday, has hit much of southern Xinjiang, including Aksu, Hotan, Kashgar and Kizilsu Kirghiz autonomous prefecture, according to a statement from the region's flood control and drought relief headquarters.

The rain has destroyed 823 hectares of farmland and some infrastructure such as bridges and roads, resulting in direct economic losses of 75.3 million yuan (about $12.2 million), the statement said.