China launches emergency flood relief response in Anhui

Rescuers transfer the flood-stranded people in Huaibei City, east China's Anhui Province, Aug. 19, 2018. Typhoon Rumbia has brought heavy rain to Huaibei and some places in Huaibei were inundated by flood. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's disaster relief authorities have launched a level IV emergency response plan to help flood victims in Anhui Province, the Ministry of Emergency Management said Wednesday.

About 2.63 million people in the east China region were affected by floods as rivers saw surging water levels due to heavy rains and influxes of water from upper reaches. As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, 12 people had been reported dead and one missing. More than 100,000 people have been evacuated.

According to the regional civil affairs authority, over 400 houses collapsed while some 34,000 houses were badly damaged. Around 330,700 hectares of crops were destroyed.

The Ministry of Emergency Management has sent work teams to flood-hit regions to oversee relief efforts.

Anhui has earmarked 10 million yuan (1.46 million U.S. dollars) in disaster relief funding and sent 370 tents, 12,000 quilts, clothes, food, bottled water and other supplies to flood-hit regions.