BEIJING, Feb. 22 -- China will take targeted prevention measures and tackle potential risks to combat floods and droughts, according to the Ministry of Water Resources.

The ministry will focus on strengthening forecasts, early warnings and contingency measures in this year's disaster-prevention work, with priority given to ensuring the safety of people's lives and property, it said.

The country will accelerate the construction of meteorological satellites, rain-measuring radar, precipitation stations and hydrometric stations to enhance the accuracy of forecasts, according to the ministry.

More efforts will be made to improve the warning system for river floods, mountain torrents and regional droughts, the ministry said.

Water resource departments will also carry out checks to elevate preparedness before flooding seasons, and rectify major problems that hinder river flood discharge processes.