China holds local govt heads responsible for emergency management

BEIJING - China's Ministry of Emergency Management has released a new regulation specifying the work responsibilities of regional officials in flood control and drought relief, vowing to hold the heads of local governments accountable in cases of faulty management due to negligence.

Top officials of the local governments are responsible for making emergency plans for natural events including floods, droughts and typhoons, according to the regulation.

They are also tasked with mobilizing social forces and raising funds for projects in flood control and drought and typhoon relief.

The ministry asked local authorities to prepare emergency management beforehand and carry out inspections to closely monitor the possibilities of natural disasters.

The regulation came as China's Ministry of Water Resources last week warned of extreme weather events during flood season and called on local authorities to prepare for the floods.

Since the start of flood season this year, a total of 279 rivers in 17 provinces were struck by above-warning-level floods, 50 percent higher than that of the same period since 1998, according to the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

China has entered the main flood season with more extreme weather and heavier precipitation to be expected, according to forecasts.