More than 5 million affected by China flooding

BEIJING - More than 5 million people have been displaced or otherwise affected by flooding in eastern China that is also pushing up food prices, state media reported Sunday.

Torrential rains have left huge areas of Hubei and Zhejiang provinces under water, with more than 1 million acres of farmland inundated, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

Almost 1,000 businesses have been forced to suspend operations and 5.7 million people have had their lives disrupted, Xinhua said in a brief report. More than 7,000 homes collapsed or were otherwise damaged and direct financial damage was estimated at almost 6 billion yuan.

The downpour triggered a mudslide that buried houses and killed two people in Zhejiang's Changshan county, while two more were killed and two left missing by flooding in Hubei, Xinhua said.

Flooding in eastern and southern China this month has left more than 170 people dead or missing. Roads and railways have been blocked, but aid supplies are arriving and the country's weather bureau says skies are expected to clear up Monday.

Farmers quoted by Xinhua said the flooding was the worst in 20 years, reducing vegetable output by 20 percent and also causing shortages of fruits and grains. Prices for green vegetables were up 40 percent, Xinhua said, adding to an inflation rate of 5.5 percent, a three-year high.

The increase in the consumer price index reported last week was in line with expectations but higher than April's 5.3 percent and March's 5.4 percent. The National Statistics Bureau said the main factor was an 11.7 percent jump in food prices.

Higher food prices blamed on flooding were also reported in the eastern provinces of Anhui and Jiangxi, Xinhua said.

[curse914]

So much for the promise of infinite growth.

[cannuc]

This has nothing at all with God, Whether you call it Zeus, Issis, or Yhwh. The floodings in China, Colombia and Venezuela coupled with the record drought in in other parts of china and the UK bear testament the the ocean currents have indeed changed. Just look at the record dry spell in florida. The oceanic convergence points have indeed moved. just look at the Ocean curent map from 1943 and compare it to today's ice cap. Here is a link to it.
abrahamsays.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-weather-pattern.html

[curse914]

Agreed; unfortunately many are going to claim this is natural with no regard to the short time frame in which this "natural" change is occurring.

[dustin93sc]

American technology will aid recovery in China. President Hu should pressure Barack Obama to revise trade policy with Beijing. The Chinese own a massive chunk of U.S. debt.

[curse914]

Belching smoke stacks are a sign of progress.

[c_etude]

Cat and dog meat eaters - you are getting what you deserve!

[curse914]

I am sure that many cultural zeatols in India would think the same of our culture that consumes the sacred cow.

[c_etude]

Hey curse914-most people from India eat meat including the cow so ****

[eastbay75]

This is an act of God and the punishment to Chinese for bullying its neighbor!

[curse914]

If she sinks, she was pure of heart and will be sent to heaven, if she floats, gods water is rejecting her and she must be burned as a witch.