China's top economic planner allocated 50 million yuan (about 7.34 million U.S. dollars) from the central budget on Wednesday to support emergency recovery efforts in Hubei Province, following severe convective weather that brought thunderstorms and gales to the region.
The funding, arranged by the National Development and Reform Commission, will be used to restore damaged infrastructure, including roads, as well as public service facilities such as schools, helping affected areas resume normal production and daily life as soon as possible.
The National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief on Tuesday activated a Level-IV national disaster relief emergency response for Hubei. China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe.
According to local authorities, the severe convective weather struck eastern Hubei on Monday night, leaving 11 people dead and one person missing.
The extreme weather has torn down 22 buildings and damaged another 4,855 in the area, injuring 331 local residents, local authorities said.
The province has launched all-out rescue and relief efforts and is working to prevent secondary disasters.
At Jinniu Town in Daye City of Hubei, thunderstorms and gales caused power outages across the town and damaged residential buildings and public facilities in some communities.
Local authorities spared no effort on Tuesday to clear debris from roads, repair facilities, and remove hazards from buildings.
In the afternoon, roads in affected areas of the town were reopened to traffic, power supply was restored, and major risks and hazards were basically eliminated.
Next, work will focus on damage and loss assessment, building safety assessments, and post-disaster reconstruction, local authorities said.
China allocates 50 mln yuan for thunderstorm-hit Hubei Province
