China's flood control authorities said Monday that floods have killed 157 people and left another 16 missing by July 1.

The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said in a statement that flooding caused by downpours, melting snow and storms have affected 27.19 million people in 26 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions so far this year.

Some 1.86 million hectares of crops and about 60,000 houses were destroyed, and the flooding resulted in about 28 billion yuan (4.53 billion U.S. dollars) in economic losses.

All figures marked declines, compared to average data collected since 2000.

Meanwhile, flood control authorities have issued an alert for the arrival of strong tropical storm Rumbia, which is expected to affect the country's already rain-soaked southern regions and bring downpours to most of northern China. Endi

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