Heavy and persisting rainfalls in early spring caused flooding in north and west Xinjiang, affecting 15 counties and cities in seven prefectures, said sources with the Xinjiang regional government office for flood control and drought resistance.

In Baicheng county, 15 residents were killed in a major flood at the end of July, the office said.

Meanwhile, in the south of Xinjiang, which is the autonomous region's leading cotton growing area, severe drought has affected over 200,000 hectares of crops, said the office, adding that some cotton fields and pastures were also affected by hailstorms and a major pest problem a month ago.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2002)