Floods affect 16,900 in quake-hit region

CHENGDU - Rainstorm-triggered floods have affected about 16,900 people in Ya'an city, Southwest China's Sichuan province, which was shaken by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake in April, local authorities said Tuesday.

Heavy rain started to batter Ya'an early Monday morning, causing river water levels to rise in excess of warning levels and flood in three of the worst-hit townships in the city's Yucheng district, according to the district government.

At least 16,900 people in 4,920 households in the district have been affected, and direct economic losses are estimated at 768 million yuan (about $125.18 million).

Local governments have relocated over 5,200 local residents and tourists to avoid geological disasters.

No casualties have been reported.

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M-7.0 earthquake strikes Ya'an, Sichuan