Losses caused by inclement weather in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region have amounted to 257 million yuan (US$31.7 million) this year, the local meteorological bureau reported Wednesday.

In the first 10 months this year, the autonomous region's average temperature was slightly higher than the same period of last year. Rainfall was less in most of the region.

Meanwhile, record severe dry spells hit the Yellow River-irrigated area throughout the autumn, spring and summer.

In addition to drought, the region also suffered from other disasters including frost, tornados, rainstorms, floods, hail storms and landslides.

On early morning of May 6th this year, a severe frost fell on Yinchuan, capital city of the autonomous region, which damaged most of the winter and spring wheat, flax and corn seedlings. Apricot orchards were also damaged.

On May 30th a force 11 tornado struck Pengyang County injuring 36 people and destroying 90 percent of the area's green trees.

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2005)