China has announced a significant allocation of 260 million yuan ($36.62 million) to bolster local government efforts in disaster relief across several provinces.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the funds will be distributed among the provinces of Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, Chongqing, Sichuan, and Shaanxi.
The financial support aims to enhance emergency response activities, including search and rescue operations, relocation and resettlement of affected populations, mitigation of hidden hazards and secondary disasters, and repairs to damaged homes.
China has been hit by severe weather, including heavy rains that have triggered flash floods, landslides, and mudslides in many regions, causing significant disruptions to transportation and forcing widespread evacuations.
As reported by the Chinese news agency Xinhua, the heavy rains and typhoons during the peak flood season, which spans from late July to early August, elevate water levels, posing serious threats to communities along rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.
Projections indicate that all seven major river basins in China may experience flooding during this period.
Additionally, typhoons are expected to move northwards into inland areas, accompanied by an increase in extreme weather events.
Recent incidents underscore the gravity of the situation. Last Friday, a highway bridge collapse in Shaanxi Province, triggered by torrential rains, resulted in 12 fatalities and left 31 people missing.
In Sichuan Province, over 30 individuals remain unaccounted for after sudden floods struck a village in Ya'an City.