China warns of floods, mudslides in west

BEIJING, June 17 (Reuters) China's forecasters warned today against floods and landslides in the nation's west as summer rains continue to menace lives, with eight farmers missing after one village was struck.

In past weeks, heavy rains and floods have lashed the nation's densely populated south and east. The China Meteorological Administration has now shifted concern to the less developed west, where heavy downpours are predicted.

The rains could relieve drought in the often parched northwest, the Administration said on its Web site (www.nmc.gov.cn).

''But as the ecological system of the west is quite weak, the relevant authorities must strengthen flood response work,'' it said.

''The rains may create localised flooding, mountain and mudslides.'' Already today, eight farmers were missing after a landslide pummeled Dayantang village in central China's Hubei province, the Xinhua news agency reported.

Fifteen houses were tossed into a nearby river by earth set loose by heavy rains over past weeks, a local official said. The farmers were tilling fields when the massive landslide swept them away. A search had begun.

Up to Friday, floods this year have killed 128 Chinese citizens with another 24 missing, the national flood and drought authority said, according to the Xinhua news agency.

Direct economic losses have reached 8.92 billion yuan (1.17 billion dollar) from destroyed houses, lost crops and other damage. The Ministry of Civil Affairs has allocated 100 million yuan to help victims of the wild weather, Xinhua also said.

Other parts of the country are suffering drought and scorching temperatures. Chinese scientists have warned global warming is likely to intensify extreme weather in coming decades.

REUTERS NY PM1341