BEIJING — China's Ministry of Emergency Management warned on April 11 that relatively severe floods are expected to hit the regions along the Yangtze and Pearl rivers and called on local authorities to make preparations.

There might be a growing number of stronger typhoons, the ministry said, quoting a meeting held by the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on enhancing flood prevention in southern provinces.

China entered the flood season on March 28, four days earlier than previous years.

The ministry urged local authorities to step up flood supervision, strengthen checks of flood-prevention projects and make emergency response plans to guard against potential disasters.