3,000 troops dispatched for flood control  ( 2003-07-10 10:23) (Xinhua)      
 China dispatched 3,000 troops on Wednesday in response to an appeal for 
assistance in fighting floods from civilian authorities in Anhui Province as 
rainstorms continue to batter the province.
 The soldiers left their barracks on Wednesday evening and are expected to 
arrive at their designated positions on early Thursday, stationed in the cities 
of Huainan, Bangbu and Chuzhou, all in Anhui Province, which has been hard hit 
by heavy rain in the past week.
 The troops bring the total number of soldiers fighting floods in the Huaihe 
River Valley, including Anhui, to 8,000, all from the Nanjing Military Command.
 With flood-related losses this season estimated at nearly one billion US 
dollars, Anhui Province has been struggling to control the rising water levels 
in the Huaihe River Valley during the past week.
 The flood situation is showing no signs of abating as weather forecasts warn 
of more rainstorms in the period leading up to July 13.   
 
 
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