Xi chairs meeting on flood control, drought relief

A leadership meeting of the Communist Party of China on Tuesday emphasized the need for effective measures in flood control, drought relief, emergency response and disaster management, underscoring that protecting people's lives must always be the top priority.

The meeting was convened by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to study and arrange work related to flood control and drought relief. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

It was noted at the meeting that during this year's main flood season, China is expected to see more extreme weather and climate events than usual, with droughts and floods coexisting.

China enters its main flood season on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Water Resources, with forecasts predicting that heavy rainfall and rising temperatures will affect most parts of the country.

Underlining that people's safety must always come first, the meeting said that measures should be taken to improve the accuracy of monitoring and forecasting, organize the swift evacuation of people from danger zones, and guard against the risk of mass casualties.

The meeting called for measures to strengthen flood control on major rivers and lakes, and highlighted the need to attach great importance to the risk of the abrupt alternation of droughts and flooding, and strengthen the unified management and dispatching of water sources.

It is essential to ensure the safety of major infrastructure and ongoing construction projects in case of flooding, and enhance the protection of agricultural infrastructure, according to the meeting.

Emergency rescue and disaster relief must be swift and efficient, and preparation of emergency response forces, equipment and supplies must be stepped up, the meeting noted.

The meeting stressed the need for effective measures to ensure the basic livelihoods of affected people, while emphasizing efforts to channel resources toward grassroots levels and to the front line.

Grassroots Party organizations, as well as Party members and officials, should play a leading role in flood control, drought relief, emergency rescue and disaster relief efforts, the meeting said.