China's economic losses from natural disasters exceed 88 bln yuan in H1

China's direct economic losses from natural disasters amounted to ¥88.81 bln (about $13.13 bln) in the first half of 2022, the Ministry of Emergency Management said. This was reported by The Xinhua News Agency. http://www.chinaview.cn/

"From January to June, floods and hailstorms were the major natural disasters in China, while droughts, freezing weather, earthquakes, snow disasters, and forest and grassland fires also occurred to varying degrees", – Shen Zhanli, spokesperson for the ministry, told a press conference.

Nearly 39.14 mln people were affected by natural disasters during the period, with 178 dead or missing and 1.28 mln residents relocated.

"More than 18,000 houses collapsed and 3.62 mln hectares of cropland were damaged by natural disasters", – Shen said.