China Prepares for Annual Flooding

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, June 14, 2003

China Prepares for Annual Flooding

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There exists the possibility of severe flooding in China this year, and the Chinese government is taking strict measures to control and prevent such a situation. This message was delivered at a press conference by the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters in Beijing this morning.

During each flood season, the flood situation in China becomes a focus of governmental and public attention.

Precipitation this year in northern and western regions has risen drastically. In May, heavy rain caused widespread flooding in central China's Hunan province, causing enormous damage and loss of life in the area. In many rivers, flood waters have crossed the warning line.

According to the latest statistics released by the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, over 900 hectares of cropland have been affected by the floods, while some 17 million people have been affected in some way. The flood has already claimed 186 lives this year. But so far no containment dykes have been breached.

Though the spokesperson said that the flood danger index is lower than at the same period last year, he warned of the possible severe flood situation in China.

"Based on the historical flood situation, the probability of flood in major rivers like the Yellow and the Huaihe rivers will increase. Since China has a large territory, even if there is no large flood occur, regional heavy rains and typhoons are unavoidable," said Zhang Zhitong, executive deputy director of State Flood Control & Drought Relief HQ Office.

The official said that strict measures have been taken across the nation to prevent flooding. The central government has already allocated more than 10 billion yuan, or over 1 billion US dollars, this year, to help the locals combat floods.

After 1998's severe flooding, many of China's flood affected regions have strengthened their anti��-flood facilities, while people's awareness of flood prevention has been greatly improved.

This year, the Three Gorges Dam Poject, which aims to control the floods, has been widely anticipated. But its real impact on China's flood control ability is yet to be seen by 2009 when the project is completed.

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