Beijing, Sep 4 (IANS): China's Qinghai province reported the hottest month in 55 years, 3.4 degrees Celsius above the average August temperature.

Data provided by the local climate centre on Saturday showed the average temperature in Qinghai last month was 16.4 degrees Celsius, the highest since records began in 1961, Xinhua news agency reported.

The centre attributed the temperature rise to the aftermath of El Nino.

Heat waves were reported in many parts of the province last month, particularly the Qaidam basin and major agricultural production bases in the eastern areas.

The second half of August saw more rains and floods, landslides and hailstorms than usual, said Ma Zhanliang of the provincial climate centre.

Last month, average precipitation in the province was 83.9 mm, slightly more than normal but unevenly distributed, he said.

Some areas, including Golmud, Gangcha, Huangyuan and Qilian, were battered by the heaviest rainfall since 1961. More than 60 flood disasters were reported across the province.

Qinghai province has an average altitude of about 2,200 meters and is known for its cool summer season.