China registered fewer losses caused by natural disasters in the first quarter of this year (Q1), with a significant drop in the death toll, missing population and economic losses, official data shows.

Some 4.09 million people nationwide were affected by natural disasters during the period, 43 percent below the recent five-year Q1 average, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.

These natural disasters claimed 17 lives and resulted in 5,200 people being relocated, the ministry said.

Direct economic losses amounted to 4.21 billion yuan (about 643.5 million U.S. dollars) in the first three months, down 59 percent from the recent five-year Q1 average.

The country was mainly hit by freezing temperatures, snow-related disasters and droughts during the period, the ministry said, adding that forest fires dropped 15.4 percent year on year.