Disasters triggered by the recent round of heavy rain in north China’s Hebei Province have killed 29 people, while 16 people remained missing, local authorities said on Friday.

According to a news conference held by the provincial government, torrential downpours and severe flooding have wreaked havoc across 110 counties, cities and districts in the province.

Infrastructure, including transportation, power, communication and water facilities in the disaster-stricken areas suffered damage.

The province had incurred a direct economic loss of ¥95.81 billion (about $13.38 billion), and the overall extent of the disaster was still being assessed and verified.

As of Thursday, the flooding had affected an estimated 3.89 million people. Three hundred nineteen thousand seven hundred hectares of crops had been affected, with 131,500 hectares demolished.

Residential areas also suffered losses, with 40,900 houses collapsing while 155,500 homes were severely damaged.

A total of 1,150 primary and secondary schools and kindergartens suffered damage.

Hebei carried out advance evacuation of residents from flood storage and detention zones, as well as from areas at risk of geological disasters.

Nearly 1.76 million had been relocated.

The province aims to complete post-disaster reconstruction work within two years and would ensure that every affected student can return to school by September 1.

According to the news conference, the affected population can return home or move into new accommodations before winter.

(Xinhua/NAN)