China floods destroy thousands of homes, kill 66

BEIJING, June 10 (Reuters) Storm floods in southern China have destroyed nearly 50,000 homes, killed at least 66 people and forced over 500,000 others to flee the area, Xinhua news agency reported today, citing the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The ministry estimated economic losses of more than 2.9 billion yuan (US1 million) to the region.

From Wednesday to yesterday, continuous torrential rains, mudslides and floods hit Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Jiangxi and Fujian provinces and regions, affecting more than 8.97 million people.

''Floods caused by heavy rains have affected about 294,800 hectares of crops, completely destroying 53,000 hectares of them,'' an official with the ministry told Xinhua.

The floods have demolished 48,000 homes and damaged 94,000 others in southern China, and forced about 591,000 people to evacuate their homes, the official said.

Twelve people are reported as missing.

The ministry has sent rescue teams to the disaster areas to assist relief work, Xinhua said.

REUTERS RJ RK2020