Vice-Premier Wang Yang, who is also director of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, stressed that tireless efforts should be made to safeguard people’s lives and flood control facilities.

The vice-premier made the remark on July 16 during a visit to regions along the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake in east China’s Jiangxi province to direct flood control and disaster relief.

Flood risks along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and Dong Ting Lake and Poyang Lake have been high since late June.

Wang visited local officials and soldiers who are involved in flood prevention work in the region, saying that flood control work is now at a crucial stage as heavy rainfall is expected shortly, forecasters said.

Provincial and municipal governments in the areas along the Yangtze River should strengthen efforts in weather forecasting, and flood dispatching, he noted. Flood monitoring efforts should be enhanced to prevent major risks.

The vice-premier also stressed that high attention should be placed on efforts to prevent floods, typhoons, and mudslides, and technology should play an increasing role in long term flood control.