China bore the brunt of last month’s natural catastrophes, according to the latest Impact Forecasting Global Catastrophe Recap.

The Aon Benfield subsidiary says three spells of severe rainfall killed more than 225 people and caused economic losses of more than $US1 billion ($1.1 billion) in the country. 

A magnitude-5.9 earthquake in Gansu province killed at least 95 people, injured 2840 and damaged 80,000 homes, causing damage of $US3.25 billion ($3.57 billion).

Super Typhoon Soulik caused $US460 million ($504.89 million) of damage in China and Taiwan.

Typhoon Rumbia caused $US177 million ($194.27 million) of damage in the Chinese regions of Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan, while Tropical Storm Cimaron caused about $US253 million ($277.69 million) of damage in Fujian province.

Elsewhere, record rainfall in Toronto caused economic losses of $US1.45 billion ($1.6 billion), half of which is expected to be covered by insurance. It was Canada’s second billion-dollar natural disaster of the year, following floods in Alberta in June.

There were three severe weather spells in the US last month, during a record stretch without a category three-plus hurricane landfall.

Impact Forecasting President Steve Jakubowski says America is entering the peak Atlantic hurricane season. “Historical averages suggest the US is overdue for a major hurricane landfall, and we’ll watch to see what the rest of the season brings.”

A magnitude-6.1 earthquake in Indonesia’s Aceh province killed at least 39 people and hurt more than 2360. 

Monsoon rains caused flooding and landslides in northern India, killing at least 174 people.

Rainfall also caused dozens of casualties and severe damage across Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and North Korea. Flooding from seasonal rainfall across Asia cost about $US8 billion ($8.78 billion).

In New Zealand a magnitude-6.5 earthquake originating in Cook Strait injured four people and caused minor damage in the North and South islands.

At least 3128 insurance claims have been filed, with an estimated insured loss of $US40 million ($43.9 million) and economic loss of more than $US50 million ($54.88 million).