Speaking at a national conference on April 19, Vice-Premier Wang Yang, also commander-in-chief of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, called for increased efforts in drought and flood control.

Wang urged related authorities to work to prevent serious floods, droughts and other disasters by following the instructions from President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang to protect people’s lives, detail a response work plan and provide support for a stable society.

Due to El Nino, the rainy season arrived earlier than usual, and extreme weather might occur in the later flooding period, the vice-premier said.

He said local governments should strengthen monitoring weather changes, perfect a response plan, allocate disaster relief equipment and issue warnings in time to avert damages and losses.

Anti-flood construction should be consolidated, especially in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and drought relief response projects will also be constructed, said the vice-premier.