China flooding toll tops 1,000

MORE than 1,000 people have died or disappeared in severe flooding in China so far this year, and the heaviest rains are still to come, a senior official warned yesterday.

This year’s floods, which have caused tens of billions of pounds in damage already, have exacted the highest death toll since 1998, which saw the highest water levels in 50 years.

With the typhoon season rolling in, Liu Ning, general secretary of the government’s flood prevention agency, said authorities must ramp up preparations.

“Since 60% to 80% of the annual rain level occurs in June, July and August, we should be prepared to prevent and combat potential disasters,” Liu said.

Tropical storm Chanthu is expected to hit China’s southern island of Hainan and Guangdong province this weekend.

Six to eight typhoons are expected this year.