The General Office of the State Council, in a circular issued on April 25, urged related departments to make accelerated efforts to deal with urban waterlogging.

The work concerns the safety of people’s lives and property, and can improve people’s livelihoods as well as boost development.

The circular called for coordinated work to prevent urban floods and control waterlogging, with a focus on cities suffering severe waterlogging in recent years and those listed for flood control.

Measures should be tailored for each city in light of local conditions.

By 2025, a project system for urban water drainage and waterlogging control should be established, according to the circular.

Rainfalls within urban waterlogging standards should be effectively treated, and water in old districts should be drained in a timely manner.

In addition, the drainage capabilities of low-lying areas should be substantially improved, and waterlogging plots causing severe disruptions in people’s life and production should be eliminated.

For rainfalls beyond urban waterlogging standards, urban lifeline projects and other important municipal infrastructure should remain functional to ensure cities’ safety.

Sponge cities should be built when local conditions allow, the circular read.

Mountains in cities should be protected, and rivers, lakes and wetlands should be restored, to preserve natural channels for rivers and floods, and spaces for flood detention and storage.

It also urged construction of pipe networks, pump stations and drainage channels, as well as projects for rainwater drainage at the source and improved flood controls.

Daily maintenance for urban drainage and flood prevention facilities should be enhanced, with measures taken ahead of the flood season.

The circular urged combined operation of water systems and drainage pipe networks in urban areas with surrounding rivers, lakes, oceans and reservoirs.

Cross-province and cross-city sharing of information about rain dynamics and personnel on standby should also be improved.

For better preparedness, emergency responses, specialized teams, and smart management platforms should be improved, and major projects should be sped up.

To help treat urban waterlogging, risk maps should designate flood-prone areas, and more stringent oversight and law enforcement should target damage on drainage and flood prevention facilities, and other illegal acts.

Meanwhile, municipal governments should establish multi-departmental coordination mechanisms, together with more investments from government funds and private sectors.

Enough land also should be available for constructing drainage and flood prevention infrastructure, the circular added.