Flood control,draught relief urgent tasks this year

With worse floods and draughts expected in China this year, prevention work should be timely and in full gear, Chinese vice premier Wang Yang said Tuesday.

China faces the tough task of flood control and draught relief as experts predicted more bad weather to come this year, said Wang at this year's first meeting of the State Flood Control and Draught Relief Headquarters.

Wang urged local governments to speed up prevention work such as checking and improving flood control construction projects to make sure all necessary facilities are in place.

Weather forecast and a disaster alarm system should also be improved by adding more staff to inspect for possible risks.

China will continue to promote water-saving technologies and set up a new water conservancy mechanism through gradual reforms in water price and water rights, Wang said.

China saw increasing floods from middle- and small-sized rivers, more strong typhoons and fewer and shorter draughts last year.