Dual typhoons lash coastal regions in East China

A car is damaged in typhoon-triggered flood water in Wangfen township of Qingzhou, East China's Shandong province, on Aug 3, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

It is rare to see two typhoons make landfall in China within 24 hours, said Zhang Chang'an, deputy director of the typhoon and marine meteorology center of the China Meteorological Administration.

In 2006, typhoons Bopha and Saomai hit the country successively, causing severe losses, according to Zhang.

"It costs considerable manpower and resources to tackle two typhoons at once," Zhang said.

Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday urged local governments to fully prepare for the approaching typhoons.

Wen asked local authorities to closely monitor the typhoons and their effect on major rivers, as well as issue related alerts in a timely manner.

The typhoons and upcoming flood peaks on major rivers may bring the risk of geological disasters and create challenges for urban flood control and drainage facilities, he said.

Frequent disasters have tested the government's emergency response capabilities, said Liu Min, a professor at East China Normal University.

Liu said the government is ultimately responsible for ensuring security during disasters, adding that the recent floods have alerted local governments of the importance of reducing disaster risks.