Typhoon Rananim, the strongest storm to hit China in almost 50 years, ripped through Zhejiang province last Thursday and Friday, causing extensive damage.

Xinhua news agency said 13 million people had been affected one way or another with economic losses mounting to some 18.1 billion yuan (2.2 billion dollars) so far.

Of the dead, 109 died when their houses collapsed, while the other 55 were killed in floods, landslides or by flying debris, the provincial government said.

Local officials said on Friday more than 1,800 people were injured in a typhoon the China Meteorological Administration said was the strongest to hit the Chinese mainland since 1956.

No updated injury figures were available Tuesday although official statistics showed the storm demolished 64,300 houses and killed 55,000 livestock.

The typhoon also destroyed 1,163 kilometers (721 miles) of roads and damaged reservoirs and power and communication facilities.

Almost 470,000 people were evacuated prior to Rananim hitting land.

East China is prone to typhoons and has been pummeled by at least 14 over the past 50 years.

TERRA.WIRE