China preparing for flood control, drought relief
( 2001-06-01 23:33 ) (8 )

China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters (SFCDRH) held on Friday its first plenary session this year to prepare the nation for the coming wet season as well as drought relief.

The meeting was presided over by Vice-Premier Wen Jiabao, who also heads the SFCDRH.

The meeting pointed out that the serious drought last year and drastic rise in temperatures in spring this year have strongly affected farming and led to water shortages in urban areas.

Meteorological data was used at the meeting to show that China will have a dry climate this year, hence the prospects of drought relief are not too good.

Meanwhile, it was also mentioned that the danger of floods should not be ignored, as the nation's flood control facilities are still weak in general terms, while fragile embankments and aging reservoirs pose serious potential dangers.

The meeting demanded that emphasis be given to ensuring water safety for cities, and that in so doing, various water saving measures should be given top priority.

Every means must also be employed to ensure the supply of drinking water for rural population and livestock and irrigation water for farmlands to minimize the impact of droughts on agriculture, the meeting heard.

The meeting stressed the importance of good planning and management in improving the efficiency of using water resources, as well as the control and treatment of water pollution.

The meeting demanded the faithful enforcement of the Flood Control Law, which holds that leaders at all levels are responsible for flood control in their own areas.

All departments and local authorities must be mobilized to act in preparation, including reinforcing fragile reservoirs and embankments, and preparing emergency plans and materials, the meeting said.