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Rain-triggered floods hit NW China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-20 22:20

LANZHOU - Heavy rains have battered northwest China's Gansu Province since June 15, triggering floods that have affected over 19,000 people and toppled 474 homes so far, the provincial Department of Civil Affairs said on Monday.

Related readings: Drought persists in NW China as downpour drenches south

A total of 19,742 residents from 19 towns have been affected, with 351 people evacuated from their homes. More than 5,000 hectares of crops and 1,803 houses have also been damaged by the rain-triggered floods, according to statistics from the department.

In the province's city of Dunhuang, the floods have submerged over 16 kilometers of railways, destroyed a major bridge and hampered transportation and supplies of electricity.

The province's western cities of Jiuquan and Zhangye typically receive little rainfall, relying on water from the icecap of the nearby Qilian Mountain. However, these cities have also been inundated with rain since June 15.

No deaths have been attributed to the floods.