China allocates $190m for flood relief

BEIJING - China's fiscal authorities have set aside 1.2 billion yuan ($189.57 million) in emergency flood relief funding since Sunday after heavy rains that hit north China, the Ministry of Finance said Friday.

Half of the funds will go to the cities of Beijing and Tianjin and Hebei province, which are still dealing with the aftermath of heavy rains that have struck the regions since last Saturday, the ministry said.

The other half will be used for flood control and relief efforts following the arrival of typhoon Vicente in southeast China, the ministry said.

The allocation brings this year's total disaster relief funding up to 12 billion yuan, the ministry said.

On Thursday, Beijing's flood control headquarters updated the death toll from last weekend's downpour, with 77 deaths attributed to the storm thus far.

In addition, more rain has been forecast for northeast China over the next three days. Eastern Beijing, Tianjin and northeastern Hebei can expect to receive up to 130 mm of precipitation from Friday to Sunday morning, according to the National Meteorological Center said.