May 8, 2010

The latest storms and resulting mudslides across China have hit agricultural production hard.

Many people have lost their lives or have been injured as the result of severe storms in the south-western and central regions of the country, according to official sources.

The disaster has caused severe damage to the county's agriculture, fishery, and animal farming industries, with economic damage estimated at more than RMB120 million (US$17.6 million), official reports said.

At least 197,972 hectares of crops, 35.65 million tonnes of fish stocks, 2,843 head of cattle and 105,000 poultry in the county were destroyed by the rains, the reports added.

The storms hit seven counties in Chongqing, with Hanjia and Pengshui reporting rainfall of up to 157 mm on Thursday (May 6), while wind with speed of up to 112 km per hour lashed worst-hit Dianjiang and Liangping.