The tropical storm Sanvu hit southern coastal areas over the weekend, the tenth to affect China this year, claiming at least two lives, according to reports by China Daily and Xinhua News Agency today.

The two fatalities were in Guangdong Province, where another six were injured and direct economic losses of 180 million yuan (US$22 million) caused.

A 2-meter wall on a construction site collapsed in Shenzhen's Bao'an District, killing two pedestrians and injuring three others.

Another three workers were injured in Guangzhou when a temporary shed at a construction site collapsed in the city's Haizhu District.

The provincial government had to seek help from Hong Kong agencies to rescue six fishermen after their boat was stranded during the storm near Shanwei City.

The provinces of Fujian and Hunan, in east and central China respectively, were also affected.

Fujian's provincial flood control office said on Sunday that 2.113 million people had been affected there, with the heaviest rainfall of 558 mm recorded in Pinghe County. Another 302,000 people were evacuated, 61,500 hectares of crops damaged and 3,100 houses flattened, causing economic losses of 1.63 billion yuan (US$200 million).

Hunan, which has been experiencing severe drought that has left hundreds of thousands without drinking water, was expected to receive heavy rains yesterday and today. Though it was hoped that water shortages would be relieved, local meteorologists also warned of possible floods.

(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2005)