Floods in China's eight provinces and regions have left 148 people dead this year and caused direct economic losses of 5.96 billion yuan (US$724 million).

Up to yesterday, the floods have damaged about two-million-hectares of farmland with crops and affected 44.75 million people. The calamities have also brought injuries and disease to 12,876 residents in these areas, according to a statement from the Ministry of Civil Affairs yesterday.

Among the eight regions,Hubei, Jiangxi, Guizhou and Sichuan provinces and Guangxi have suffered the most negative impacts from the floods.

The central government has allocated 6 million yuan (US$720,000), 7 million yuan (US$840,000), and 12 million yuan (US$1.4 million) to Hubei, Jiangxi and Guangxi respectively for emergency relief.

(HK Edition 07/01/2003 page1)