Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on Thursday called for closer weather observation and more precise forecasts and early warnings to prevent and reduce disasters.

Visiting the Central Meteorological Station, Hui said China was in a major flood and typhoon period, and meteorological agencies should follow changes in weather patterns, especially of typhoons, and step up scientific evaluations of meteorological disasters.

"China has suffered from a capricious climate this year, hit by frequent natural disasters," Hui said.

The weather bureau played a key role in analyzing severe weather, such as typhoons, rainstorms and heatwaves, publishing weather forecasts and issuing early warnings.

His call came as the death toll from Typhoon Kaemi hit 25 in southern China, with 53 people still missing.

Government agencies throughout south and southeast China have warned of reservoirs breaching their banks and causing huge damage.

The region is still reeling from Tropical Storm Bilis, which hit China on July 14, resulting in 10 days of torrential rains that claimed the lives of more than 600 people.

(Xinhua News Agency July 28, 2006)