1 ) The floods in the Yangtze Rive r basin are the worst in 44 years.2) Official figures indicate that more than 2000 people have been drowned and 13.8 million have been driven from their jhomes.3) Crops have been destroyed on 4.5 million hectares.3 percent of China’s total cropland.4) Industrial output has suffered as factories have had to shut.5) The transportation of goods and people has been disrupted.6) The overall effect on China’s economy will be felt for many months.7/8) Despite the serious damage China deserves a lot credit for the nationwide effort to deal with flooding during which the Chinese have demonstrated a remarkable capacity for shoring up dikes and protecting themselves from flooding.9) For example 1.6 million troops have been mobilized to help protect the dikes and to move people out of areas being flooded.10) Literally millions of civilians are involved in this enormous human effort.