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)