Climate disasters frequently hit China this summer, killing at least 349 people in June while 99 others missing, and causing an economic loss of 20.2 billion yuan (US$2.53 billion), according to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA).

Wang Bangzhong, vice-director of disaster forecast and relief department of CMA, said Monday at a press conference that the most serious climate disasters during June were rainstorms which caused floods, landslides, mud-rock flow in a dozen of provinces, municipalities and autonomous region in south China.

The disasters killed at least 267 people while 99 other missing and caused total economic loss of 16.7 billion yuan (US$2.08 billion).

Continuous heavy rains since late May have also caused serious floods in Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces as well as Chongqing municipality.

In Fujian Province, with the most serious flooding disaster, the rainstorms left 26 people dead and caused economic loss of 5.5 billion yuan (US$687.5 million).

China suffers floods every year during the June-to-August rainy season, during which rivers overflow and water rushes down mountains, often causing deadly landslides.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2006)