China's death toll from natural disasters hit 348 in August this year, and 84 people were missing, the Ministry of Civil Affairs reported on Thursday.

Figures also showed 75.22 million people were affected by natural disasters, including floods, landslides, mudflows, typhoon, droughts and hail stones, while 2.88 million people were forced to leave their homes.

More than 140,000 houses collapsed and nearly 14 million hectares of farmland were affected.

Total direct losses amounted to 40.31 billion yuan (US$5.37 billion), according to the ministry.

Continuous rains have triggered floods in China's central and western areas. And tropical storms Pabuk and Wutip as well as Typhoon Sepat have caused severe damages in August.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2007)