China reports fewer losses from natural disasters in first quarter – Xinhua English.news.cn

BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) – China saw fewer losses from natural disasters in the first quarter of the year, with a dramatic drop in death toll, missing people and economic losses, data shows official.

About 4.09 million people nationwide were affected by natural disasters during this period, down 43% from the first quarter average of the past five years, according to the Department of Emergency Management. .

Natural disasters killed 17 people and displaced 5,200 people, the ministry said.

Direct economic losses were 4.21 billion yuan (about $ 643.5 million) in the first three months, down 59% from the first quarter average of the past five years.

China was mainly hit by low temperatures, snow-related disasters and droughts in the first quarter, the ministry said, adding that forest fires were down 15.4% year-on-year.

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