Typhoon Nepartak causes heavy losses to southern China's Hainan island

BEIJING (AFP) Nov 20, 2003
Torrential rains and strong winds whipped up by tropical storm Nepartak caused 1.63 billion yuan (197 million dollars) in economic losses to China's southern island province of Hainan, state media said Thursday.

Nepartak, which hit Hainan Tuesday, affected more than 1.72 million people and destroyed 800 houses, the Xinhua news agency said.

The storm damaged 63,970 hectares (158,000 acres) of crops, which could reduce the province's grain output by 3,200 tons. It also killed 400 head of livestock.

Water conservancy facilities were also damaged while normal transport and industrial production was affected. Some 72 highways were closed and production at mines halted.

TERRA.WIRE