HAIKOU, Sept. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- The death toll from Typhoon Damreyin southernmost China's island province of Hainan has risen to 25 Thursday, while a senior disaster relief official said casualties and economic losses from Damrey were heavier than expected.

    A special government work group led by vice director of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters Cheng Dianlong made an inspection of the province's disaster relief work after Damrey swept the island Monday.

    Cheng said Damrey has infringed huge damages in Hainan, which was more severe than Beijing has expected.

    According to the investigation, the death mainly happened in accidents, such as sudden tree falls, landslides and torrents caused by Damrey, the biggest typhoon that hit the province in 10 years.

    Economic losses were estimated at 11.6 billion yuan (about 1.5 billion US dollars). Damrey almost wiped out the province's aquaculture industry and damaged this season's farm yield of rubber, tropical fruit and vegetable as well as the power grid system and water conservancy facilities.

    The resort island has restored 85 percent of power supply, and allocated 26.5 million yuan (3 million US dollars) of relief fund to ensure typhoon victims with sufficient food, clothes and shelters. It also anticipated the coming National Day (Oct. 1) travel week would bring in some profits to mend the losses.

    The work group affirmed the province's achievements in preparation for and resistance against the severe typhoon disaster, which has always put people's lives on the primary thought. The evacuation work in advance of the disaster was efficient and successful.

    The group's report on the inspection result will be subject to the central government for further assistance approaches to help Hainan withstand the tough time, said Cheng. Enditem