With the rainy season setting in across southern China, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu asked officials Monday to do a better job of disaster prevention.

Hui, who is also chief of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, said officials should enhance weather monitoring and get ready to prevent mud flows and landslides. He said officials should be on the alert for severe weather including high wind, hail and thunderstorms.

As of Monday, floods have been reported in 131 counties, cities and districts in 10 provinces, including Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei and Guangdong.

The floods caused 15 deaths and left two people missing. Losses so far have been estimated at 885 million yuan (115 million U.S. dollars).

(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2009)