Entrusted by Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on Sunday urged local governments to exert efforts to protect people's lives and minimize the losses caused by Typhoon Saomai.

Typhoon Saomai, the strongest to hit China in half a century and now a tropical depression, has left at least 114 dead and 183 others missing by Sunday.

During his tour to east China's Zhejiang and Fujian provinces on Saturday and Sunday, Hui inspected the rescue work and visited people who were traumatized by the disaster.

Safety of the people must be placed a priority, noted Hui, and the rescue operations must aim to reduce the losses to the minimum. People's living and production must be restored as much as possible, he added.

On the visit to Cangnan County of Zhejiang and Fuding City of Fujian, the worst-hit places, Hui told the villagers that the Party and the government would help them re-build their life.

He praised Party officials in Xi'ao Village of Fuding on hearing no one was killed during the evacuation.

Hui also paid visits to PLA soldiers, armed police, public security forces and militia who have been fighting the typhoon.

Speaking with provincial officials, Hui said the search for the missing must continue and the condolence of the victims' families must be conducted properly.

"Clean drinking water, enough clothes, living place, medical service and schooling must be available to the people who are affected by typhoon," he said.

Restoration of water and power supplies, transportation and communication must be done as quickly as possible, while self-rescue production of the people must be supported by the government, he added.

Hui also stressed epidemic control and called for all walks of life to join in the reconstruction.

He warned that the flood control is facing severe situation as it is still in flood season, therefore the leadership must keep alert and prepare well for upcoming disasters.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2006)