15,196 geological disasters hit China from Jan to Oct

China experienced 15,196 geological disasters from January to October that claimed 455 lives, while 196 people were classified as missing, people.com.cn reported.

The disasters caused direct economic losses of 9.98 billion yuan ($1.64 billion).

Compared with the same period last year, the frequency, death toll, the number of missing and the direct economic losses all increased, the report said.

The report also said 1,717 geological disasters were successfully forecast, which avoided direct economic losses of 1.9 billion yuan.

In October, 716 geological hazards happened around China with Zhejiang being the most severely affected province.