BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- China recorded lower direct economic losses from natural disasters last year, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.
In 2021, natural disasters affected 107 million people and left 867 people dead or missing, said Shen Zhanli, spokesperson of the ministry.
The total economic losses amounted to 334.02 billion yuan (about 52.61 billion U.S. dollars).
Last year, extremely heavy rainfall occurred frequently, resulting in severe floods in northern and northwestern China, said Shen, adding that the country experienced some strong earthquakes and saw more unexpected tornadoes and other severe convective weather events.
The overall impact of droughts was relatively small and fewer typhoons made landfall in the country last year, Shen said. ■
