Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu Monday urged officials at all
levels in relevant areas to take precautions against Typhoon Kaemi
expected to hit eastern China soon.
Addressing the meeting of State Flood Control and Drought Relief
Headquarters, Hui said the current situation is "very severe" and
asked officials at all levels to be "fully prepared" for
typhoons.
As of 16:00 on Monday, Typhoon Bilis has left 612 people dead,
208 missing, and 3.068 million relocated to safer places. In the
same time, Typhoon Kaemi is on its way to hit eastern China.
Hui asked flood-control bureaus at each level to take effective
prevention measures such as relocating people in danger, ordering
offshore boats and fishermen to return, and consolidating
facilities erecting high above the ground.
He also ordered to enhance surveillance over reservoirs and
major rivers for potential floods, while looking out for possible
mud-flow, land slide, and other similar disasters.
"The people's life should be placed on top priority," Hui said.
"Measures should be taken to ensure food, clothing, shelter and
medical aids for people in disaster-hit areas."
(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2006)