Southwest China hit by floods

Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing has urged all-out rescue efforts after rain-triggered flash floods in southwest China’s Sichuan Province left more than 30 missing.

Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited the disaster-hit Xinhua village, Hanyuan County under Ya’an City, and inspected a local hospital and the temporary relocation site for those affected by the disaster.

Chairing a meeting Sunday noon, Zhang said that the primary task is to search and rescue the missing people, adding that more professional forces should be deployed to expedite the search and rescue process, according to news agency Xinhua.

Efforts should be taken to prevent secondary disasters, as mountain torrents and mudslides increased safety risks in the area, he reportedly said.

It is necessary to allocate disaster relief funds and materials in a timely manner, strengthen medical services in the relocation sites, and ensure local people’s basic living standards, Zhang said, urging that “normal” production and life order be restored as soon as possible.

Many places have been hit by natural disasters in recent times and so local authorities need to further strengthen the response to rainfall and floods, such as early warning and relocation, Zhang added.

Focusing on key areas, including vulnerable villages, construction sites and tourist attractions, more efforts should be made to ensure early detection, disposal and swift evacuation to protect people’s safety, he said.

Also last weekend, China’s top economic planner said that it has allocated 350m yuan (about $49m) from the central budget to aid disaster relief and restoration efforts in the flood-stricken Henan, Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces.