The floods have affected 150 million people and destroyed over 10 million hectares (24.7 million acres) of farmland and about 900,000 houses in 30 province and regions, Xinhua news agency said.

It cited statistics from the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

Direct economic damage was estimated at 102.8 billion yuan (12.6 billion dollars), it said.

The numbers were released as the flood headquarters issued warnings over Typhoon Tarim, which was presently moving toward the east coast of Taiwan and was expected to bring torrential rain to China's southeastern province of Fujian, the report said.

Floods so far this year have inundated areas in the Pearl River Delta, Minjiang River, Liaohe River and the upper reaches of the Huaihe River, the report said.

Torrential rains in mountainous areas have also triggered widespread flooding and landslides in many regions, including landlocked areas in southwestern China's Guizhou and Sichuan provinces and northeastern Heilongjiang province.

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