The environmental officials are carrying out an emergency pollution inspection in 14 provinces around the country, especially along the major rivers, as a precaution against possible pollution outbreaks as a result of the ongoing heavy downpours.

The State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) sent out six pollution investigation squads earlier this week to the Yangtze, Huaihe and Haihe river valleys and the Taihu Lake areas, where local residents have reported the spread of pollution as a result of the heavy rainfall.

Other flood-hit provinces are also being asked to prevent further water contamination and report any serious pollution immediately, especially cases involving chemicals, to the investigation center of the administration.

The inspection program will continue through the summer to the end of August, according to SEPA officials.

Recent torrential rains across much of the country have increased the risk of pollution, necessitating the strict measures, said SEPA publicity official Liu Youbing yesterday.

The administration also launched an emergency check against pollution discharges on major rivers last summer, according to Liu.

Local environmental authorities have also specified their emergency plans to control water pollution, in line with the administration's recent checks.

(China Daily June 20, 2002)