LHASA - The sewage disposal rate in the urban areas of Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region has reached 90.19 percent, as the region fights to curb pollution, local authorities said Tuesday.

Tibet's high altitude and low temperatures have made it more difficult and costly to dispose of sewage in its urban areas with traditional techniques, according to the regional department of housing and urban-rural development.

Tibet has 18 sewage disposal factories in full operation and 14 in trial operation, data showed.

The region is building another 56 sewage disposal facilities for further improving the handling of polluted water in the region.

The urbanization rate in Tibet has reached 32 percent, with over 1.07 million residents living in cities and towns, according to the latest statistics from the regional housing and urban-rural development bureau.