Floods have caused a total direct economic loss of 3.8 billion yuan (US$468 million) in northeast China's Jilin Province so far this year, local government said Monday.

Floods have hit 46 counties and affected 2.19 million people, 97,000 of whom have been relocated, the Provincial Department of Civil Affairs said.

The disasters also damaged 57,000 houses and demolished more than 9,000 houses, the department said.

The provincial government hopes to finish rebuilding the disaster-stricken areas by the end of October.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2005)