Chinese want more flood protection: Poll

BEIJING - More than 80 percent of people in a survey blamed the flood disasters in recent months on a destroyed natural ecosystem.

Twenty-eight provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China have been hit by storms and floods since March, affecting 137 million people and causing 991 deaths while leaving 558 people missing, and leading to 193.5 billion yuan ($28.57 billion) in economic damage, the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said on July 30.

The Social Research Center of the China Youth Daily carried out an online survey polling 3,462 people in 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions.