China suffered severe flood disasters this year, with water levels in some reaches of Yangtze River exceeding critical limits. However, losses caused by the floods were far less than those in either 1998, or any other since 1990, thanks to China's increasingly stronger disaster prevention and abatement measures.

Vice-Minister of Civil Affairs Jiang Li made the remarks during a symposium on October 9, the International Disaster Abatement Day.

"The decrease in this year's disasters," Jiang said, "may be attributed to a series of restoration decisions made by the State Council since 1998, like reinforcing Yangtze River's dikes, reclaiming land for lakes and the migration of large populations." Currently, flood prevention measures in the Yangtze River and surrounding areas have been greatly improved; the surface areas of Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake have been enlarged strengthening water reservation capabilities and flood drainage; the eco-environment of lake areas has been enhanced; and the migration of populations has reduced the threat of human casualties caused by flood related disasters.

According to Jiang's introduction, China has set up a China International Disaster Abatement Commission, established China's 21st Century Agenda and Disaster Abatement Programme (1998-2010), promulgated a new series of relevant laws and regulations, and constructed projects like Three Gorges Dam Project in Yangtze River and Xiaolangdi Project in Yellow River. With advancements in technology, the general disaster abatement mechanisms have been brought to fruition. Meanwhile, disaster abatement has taken an important role in economic and social development.

This year, 75 disasters were accurately forecasted, saving 3,806 people' lives. Currently, both the government and the people pay more attention to disaster prevention and abatement than ever before. Now the majority of provinces have launched growing rescue schemes, with more than 20 rescue manoeuvres throughout the nation. Since the strengthening of rescue measures, serious disasters can now be reported to central government within 24 hours and victims can receive assistance within the same time period.

It's reported that a proposal for the establishment of a National Disaster Abatement Center has been approved, and that a National Disaster Abatement Information System is under consideration. If completed, disaster forecasts and evaluations and information for making policies will become increasingly accurate.

(china.org.cn by Tang Fuchun, October 19, 2002)