Recent floods and flood-induced calamities have caused 70 deaths and direct economic losses of 4.3 billion yuan (approximately US$518 million) in south China's Guangdong Province, according to statistics from the provincial headquarters for flood control and drought relief on Tuesday.

Figures also showed the floods and ensuing landslides and massive caves-in have affected a population of 4.42 million living in 89 counties across the province.

Fortunately, the large and medium-sized reservoirs, as well as the main river and sea dikes across the province are in a whole skin, said the sources. The water level of the Xijiang River began to fall below the warning line by Tuesday.

So far, local governments at various levels in the province have put in lots of resources, including funds and disaster relief materials, to combat the calamities and help resume production.
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(Xinhua News Agency June 29, 2005)