Sources with local government said disaster relief work has shifted from emergency relief to reconstruction. Up to now, victims of the floods have found secure accommodations and order has returned.

The floods caused by torrential rains from June 8 to 10 have inflicted 2.1 billion yuan of direct losses (US$253 million).

To minimize the losses of local residents, Chinese civil affairs and finance departments doled out 21.5 million yuan (US$2.59 million) of relief funds and foodstuff worth two million yuan (US$240,964) to the disaster areas mainly in Hanzhong, Ankang and Shangluo cities.

Some 11,000 cotton quilts, 1,000 tents and 277,000 tons of medicines have also been allocated.

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2002)