HARBIN, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Non-stop heavy rain has led to over one billion yuan (146 million U.S. dollars) of direct economic losses in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, local authorities said Friday.
The provincial civil affairs department said that torrential rain since Monday has resulted in rising water levels in rivers and flooding in the province.
As of Friday, nearly 500,000 residents from 50 counties had been affected with around 19,000 evacuated and relocated.
More than 100 houses collapsed and nearly 6,500 others were damaged. Over 291,000 hectares of crops were also affected.
The department has sent disaster relief to the affected areas, including quilts, trousers, tents, and personnel to investigate and help residents in danger.
