China: Floods - Information Bulletin n° 1

Floods in China 1996 Information Bulletin No. 2 4 July 1996
Torrential rains continue resulting in a growing list of provinces innundated by flood waters. throughout China. The Red Cross Society of China has collected more data from the affected areas through its provincial and local branches, as well as from government sources. On 5 July, two teams will travel to Zhejiang and Anhui Provinces to assess the situation from the RCSC perspective. The extent of the flooding and the continuing deluge make it difficult to do a comprehensive assessment at this time. More heavy rain is predicted over the weekend. The death toll is increasing. More than 170 people are known to have died. Scores are still missing. Sixteen people died in the landslide at the train station in Guizhou Province.

Provincial branches provided the RCSC Headquarters with information. Zhejiang Province: The rivers are still rising. Several dams collapsed with more damaged. Over 400,000 people are surrounded by flood waters. 45 people are reported as missing. In the area surrounding the provincial capital Hangzhou, over 100,000 hectares of crops were destroyed. Jiangxi Province: The main transportation links through Jiangxi Province have been cut off. Between Sunday night and Wednesday morning, an additional 280 mm. (11 inches) of rain fell. Earlier flooding, between 28 May and 8 June, also caused substantial damage in the province.

Many people are now experiencing their second major disaster of the rainy season. Anhui Province: In Anhui Province, the military has moved 53,000 people to higher ground. Access to most of the flooded areas is only possible by helicopter. Several main highways in Jiangxi Province are closed due to damage. In many areas, the roads are submerged. The flood waters levels have reached a record high level that may climb even higher.

Heilongjiang Province: The north-eastern most province of Heilongjiang suffered additional damage when strong winds and large hail stones struck on 26 June. Heavy rains continue to add to the flooding situation there.

Jiangsu Province: Strong winds, hail, and rain had a devastating impact on Jiangsu Province on9 June. Bad weather continues to plague the province and additional data is being collected by the RCSC.

Guizhou Province: Representatives of all levels of the RCSC in the province are in the disaster area to gather data and determine how they might best be able to assist. Guiyuang City is the most seriously affects.

SUMMATION:

PROVINCE	CITIES	COUNTIES	TOWNSHIPS	VILLAGES	POPULATION AFFECTED
ZHEJIANG	3	13	309	4289	3,090,000
JIANGXI 28 May - 8 June	* *	3 3	* *	* *	230,000 37,406
ANHUI	7	11	527	3184	4,090,000
HEILONGJIANG	*	3	34	270	120,340
JIANGSU-9 June	*	3	18	80	50,000
GUIZHOU	9	40	280	1460	8,000,000
HUNAN	8	14	98	1144	1,280,000

PROVINCE	KILLED	INJURED	HOMELESS	ROOMS DAMAGED/DESTROYED	CROPLANDS AFFECTED (HECTARES)	DIRECT ECONOMIC LOSS (RMB)
ZHEJIANG	41	989	98,521	30,000/11,872	125,281	2,800,000,000
JIANGXI 28 May-8June	* *	128 218	12,835 2,306	25,685/10,345 2,334/297	1,386 1,553	36,300,000 28,000,000
ANHUI	20	*	*	121,000/24,471	280,000	429,000,000
HEILONGJIANG	5	216	341	19,109/268	144,733	262,000,000
JIANGSU-9 June	*	5	50	315/229	7266	7,000,000
GUIZHOU	108	400	*	250,000/35,000	670,000	2,200,000,000
HUNAN	11	621	65,000	17801/6699	*	280,000,000

* data unavailable at time Information Bulletin prepared

The Red Cross Society of China Relief Department in Beijing is collecting data from the branches in the affected provinces. When access is possible, an assessment team from headquarters will tour the affected areas. The provincial and local branches are mobilising personnel, volunteers, and resources in preparation for the operations. Local fund raising has been initiated. In Zhejiang Province, the Branch was able to send in a medical team and an assessment team to the affected area. Based upon their preliminary reports, the needs are for medicine, disinfectant to ensure a safe water supply, and summer clothes.

The Government of China has mobilised military and provincial resources to do emergency evacuations, infrastructure repairs, and to provide initial assistance to the flood victims. This flooding disaster is far from over. More rains are expected in most of the areas over the next few days. Flood waters are moving downstream which may impact other areas currently not included in this preliminary report. The Secretariat will issue another Information Bulletin as soon as new data is available.

Kris Hurlburt,
Desk Officer
Asia & Pacific Department

Jerry Talbot,
Director
Asia & Pacific Department