Contact: John Nduna, Director, +41 22 791 6033, + 41 79 203 6055 cell; Michelle Yonetani, Program Officer, +41 22 791 6035, +41 79 285 2916 cell; both with Action by Churches Together International (ACT)

GENEVA, June 12 /Standard Newswire/ -- Days of torrential rains since the beginning of June, have resulted in extensive flooding of the southern Yangzi River and south western China, affecting more than 9 million people. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters reported that Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou and Hunan Provinces have been the worst hit by the continuous heavy rains, mudslides and floods, and issued a level-4 emergency response warning (the highest in the country). Rescue and relief teams have been sent to the affected areas.

According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the death toll stood at 66 persons with 12 reported missing on June 10. The floods have damaged some 94,000 houses and destroyed 48,000 in the region, forcing the evacuation of around 591,000 people. About 294,800 hectares of crops have been affected of which 53,000 hectares have been totally destroyed. Losses are estimated to run over US$ 371 million.

The National Meteorological Centre has forecast continuing heavy rains south of the Yangtze River and in South China for the next few days.

ACT member Amity Foundation is following the flood situation closely and will keep the ACT Coordinating Office (CO) updated. An appeal may be forthcoming. The ACT CO would be grateful for any indications of funding.

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org).