China earmarks relief funds for flood-hit Hebei

BEIJING -- The Chinese central government on Monday allocated 250 million yuan ($37.4 million) to disaster relief efforts in the flood-hit province of Hebei.

The money, which was processed jointly by the civil affairs and finance ministries, will be used to help people through emergency relocation, transitional settlement, reconstruction of damaged houses and for those who have lost loved ones in the disaster, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Heavy rainfall lashed Hebei from July 18 to 20, causing flash floods in mountains and serious waterlogging in some cities.

As of 6 pm Saturday, torrential rain and floods had left 130 people dead and 110 others missing, and caused nearly 16.4 billion yuan in direct economic losses in Hebei.