BEIJING - The Ministry of Finance said Monday that it has allocated 20 million yuan ($3.17 million) to help relief work in storm-hit Gansu province.

The funds will be used for disaster relief and restoration of destroyed water conservancy facilities in counties of Minxian, Zhangxian and Weiyuan, according to a statement posted on the ministry's website.

Hail and torrential rain has battered parts of Gansu in recent days, wrecking havoc on people's lives, agricultural production and infrastructure.

The death toll from the extreme weather in Gansu had risen to 42, with 17 others missing, as of 4 pm on Sunday, according to local ?authorities.