Rescuers work in a drainage operation in downtown Zhuozhou, North China's Hebei province, on Aug 7, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

SHIJIAZHUANG - As of Thursday, 29 people have been killed in the disasters triggered by the recent round of heavy rain in North China's Hebei province and 16 remained missing, local authorities said on Friday. 

According to a press conference held on Friday morning, torrential downpours and severe flooding have wreaked havoc across 110 counties, cities and districts in the province.

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

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 yuan (about $13.38 billion), and the overall extent of the disaster was still being assessed and verified.

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As of Thursday, the flooding had affected an estimated 3.89 million people. A total of 319,700 hectares of crops had been affected, with 131,500 hectares demolished.

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Residential areas also suffered losses, with 40,900 houses having collapsed, while 155,500 houses were severely damaged. A total of 1,150 primary and secondary schools, along with kindergartens, suffered damage. 

This aerial photo taken on Aug 9, 2023 shows workers operating machinery to repair a bridge in Sanpo town, Laishui county, North China's Hebei province. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

China on Friday earmarked 1.46 billion yuan (about $203.95 million) to provide relief to people severely affected by recent floods and ensure their basic livelihoods, according to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management.

The funds will be allocated to five provincial-level regions: Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Heilongjiang and Jilin.

Together with the funds already allocated, the central government has earmarked a total of 7.74 billion yuan for flood control and relief since the beginning of this year's flood season.