Mountain torrents and mud-rock flow have killed 11 people since this June in China's northeastern Liaoning Province, according to the provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

Hou Xifeng, office director of the headquarters, said the disasters, caused by the frequent rainstorms this summer, killed four villagers of Jianping County, three of Chaoyang County and fours others of Jianchang County, while destroying roads and bridges.

The low vegetation coverage and the consequential poor water holding capacity of the earth were the main causes of the disasters, said Hou.

The disasters were also attributed to the great loss of water and soil, brought about by intense mining in the western part of Liaoning, said the official.

He said Liaoning had launched its emergency plans against floods including supervision over mountain torrents and typhoons and the relocating of flood victims.

(Xinhua News Agency July 27, 2004)