More than 2 million affected by China flooding

China says more than 2 million people have been displaced or otherwise affected by flooding in the eastern province of Zhejiang. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

BEIJING - CHINA says more than 2 million people have been displaced or otherwise affected by flooding in the eastern province of Zhejiang.

The official Xinhua News Agency says torrential rains have left huge areas of the relatively wealthy province underwater, with 171,000ha of farmland inundated.

Xinhua reported on Sunday that almost 1,000 businesses have been forced to suspend operations and 2.6 million people have had their lives disrupted. Direct financial damages were estimated at almost 5 billion yuan (S$953 million).

Flooding in eastern and southern China this month has left more than 170 people dead or missing. Roads and railways have been blocked, but aid supplies are arriving and the country's weather bureau says skies are expected to clear up on Monday. -- AP