In an instruction on flood control and drought relief work, Premier Li Keqiang stressed rectification to remove potential risks and ensure the safety of people's lives and property.

The Premier expounded that flood control and drought relief work are related to economic and social development and the big picture of security and stability. Governments at all levels must implement decisions and arrangements of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, give priorities to people and lives, better coordinate development and safety and focus on precautions.

According to Premier Li, emergency response plans should be improved with more details, coordination mechanism of disaster monitoring and alerting, project scheduling and emergency rescue. Disaster relief should also be strengthened, material support for rescue team and equipment increased and improvement of weak links in emergency response accelerated.

Local governments at all levels should take responsibility, with the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters taking the lead and coordinating, and related departments exercising their respective duties and making use of professional advantages, the instruction said.

State Councilor Wang Yong, also head of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, called for solid work in flood control and drought relief by combining precaution, preparation and emergency response, making careful arrangements and carrying out responsibilities, on April 15 at a national video and telephone conference.

As some regions have entered the flood season, China faces a serious situation in flood control and disaster relief, Wang said.

He asked for all regions, departments and units under the coordination of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters to strengthen leadership and supervision and fulfill the duties and the governor responsibility system in all links of flood control and drought relief.

With focus on severe flood control and disaster relief, the authorities must make full preparation with enhanced monitoring and early warnings, better emergency response plans and stricter patrolling in a well-coordinated manner, Wang added.

He also urged danger removal and reinforcement of dams and reservoirs along large rivers, and efforts to strengthen equipment and technologies for disaster relief and emergency response capacities.

The authorities should take strict precautions against torrential floods, debris flows and typhoons, as well as urban inundation, he added.

The state councilor also stressed guaranteeing water for domestic and industrial use in drought-hit areas and preventing sudden turn from drought to flood and occurrence of various disasters at the same time to minimize losses.