Tropical Storm Claims 5 Lives in GD

Torrential rain, strong winds and landslides triggered by the tropical storm Linfa have left 5 dead in eastern Guangdong's Meizhou city. The estimated direct economic loss has increased to 655 million yuan. The first batch of disaster-relief goods, including 1000 blankets, 5000 pieces of clothing, 2000 flashlights and 100 emergency lights arrived in Meizhou yesterday (June 23). 

Pingyuan County was the hardest hit, with 2300 houses having collapsed and over 66000 lives directly affected by the floods. A member of the disaster relief team, Han Qicheng told our journalist:"we arrived on the spot as early as possible. With the help of local residents and officials, we have managed in reallocating all those seriously affected. Some are staying with relatives, some in safer residences and others in temporary shelters."

At present, the relief team has finished its relocation mission. Power and water supplies are operating once more and students have returned to school. 236 people are now staying in temporary settlement sites set-up near government buildings and on school campuses. One of them told us:"I feel comfortable here. They've given clothing, food and daily necessities. The relief team told us to not to worry too much."

Dongguan Shuts down schools and kindergartens

4 more primary school students in Dongguan have been confirmed as infected with the A/H1N1 virus, bringing the total number of cases in that one school to 41. All primary schools and kindergartens in Shipai Town were ordered yesterday (June 23) to close their doors for one week.

GD On High Alert of H1N1 Outbreak

And addressing yesterday (June 23) a conference on A/H1N1 prevention and control, Guangdong vice-governor, Mrs. Lei Yulan pointed out that Guangdong has now reached the early stages of a community outbreak. She urged related departments to take all possible measure to prevent the epidemic from spreading further.