Taking disaster prevention seriously

A string of natural disasters has ravaged the mainland, from the serious southwestern drought early this year to the Yushu earthquake in April and widespread floods at present. These have tested the will of the Chinese.

Premier Wen Jiabao has called for officials to prepare for more serious floods and disasters as the nation braces itself for the worst flooding in a decade.

Rain-triggered flooding has affected nearly 113 million people in 27 provinces and municipalities. The latest statistics from the State's Office of Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters indicate floods in China this year left 823 people dead and 437 missing as of Monday morning, with direct economic losses of 154 billion yuan ($22.6 billion).