China flood death toll rises to 128

18 June 2007The Age

Severe flooding in China has left at least 128 people dead and 24 missing, with direct economic losses passing the $US1 billion ($A1.2 billion) mark.

Xinhua News Agency said the hardest-hit areas have been in southern China, including the Guangdong province which is an export powerhouse.

Most of the economic losses were in agriculture, Xinhua said.

China is frequently hit by natural disasters and while there is flooding in the south, the northern part of the country is experiencing a drought.

The drought has left 11 million people short of drinking water, according to Xinhua.

China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief spokesman Cheng Dianlong told Xinhua that the drought would continue and probably worsen due to high temperatures and lack of rain in the north.