Natural disasters in China have killed at least 1,074 people and left 270 others unaccounted for since the start of the years, an official revealed on Tuesday.

According to Yang Xiaodong, deputy head of the disaster relief department of China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, most of these events are floods, heavy winds, hail, and other geological disasters.

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The Chinese government estimates that these calamities caused economic losses amounting to 298 billion yuan ($44 billion) in the first seven months of this year alone. Furthermore, about 400,000 houses were destroyed, and more than six million people were left homeless and forced to relocate.

Since June, 833 people have reportedly been killed in natural disasters, and 233 others are missing. The is the largest number of casualties from natural disasters in China compared to the same period in 2011. The worst-hit regions include Anhui, Fujian, Guizhou, Hebei, Hubei, Jiangsu, and Jiangxi.

In Hebei, four government officials were suspended for dereliction of duty in coping with the deadly flood that left more than 200 people dead. The officials were suspended from their duties because they were "ineffective in flood prevention and rescue and relief work."

At least 114 people were killed, and 111 are missing in Hebei province on Saturday after torrential rains hit China's northern part this week.

Meanwhile, the government also sacked three Minqing County officials from their duties last week. Minqing County was severely affected by the Typhoon Nepartak, with 73 people dead, 17 missing, and 11 towns and townships without electricity and telecommunication services.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs said that the central government has allocated over 1.67 billion yuan ($250 million) this year to aid victims of natural disasters with emergency relocation, resettlement, reconstruction of damaged houses, and assistance of lost loved ones.

Tagschina, natural disaster, calamities, Nepartak, torrential rains