Natural disasters kill 5 in China in February

Natural disasters claimed five lives and caused 230 million yuan (about 37.36 mln U.S. dollars) in direct economic losses in February, according to government statistics.

Disasters last month, mainly earthquakes, affected some 238,000 people in China. More than 4,000 residents were relocated and more than 2,000 needed emergency support, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the National Commission for Disaster Reduction announced Monday.

A total of 30,000 houses were damaged in natural disasters in February, they said.

Hail, cold weather, snowstorms, landslides and forest fires also caused damage during the month.

Cold weather, rain and snow affected the Spring Festival travel rush, according to the authorities.