Minister of Water Resources Chen Lei receives an interview before the meeting, March 8, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Less flooding but drought may be more severe, minister says

By Xu Wei

China may experience less severe flooding this year compared to last year, but the severity of drought could be stronger than previous years, Chen Lei, minister of water resources, said on Wednesday.

Chen told reporters at the sidelines of the National People's Congress that South China and East China could still experience flooding in river basin areas including the Pearl River, Taihu Lake and the Huaihe River this year.

There could also be some flooding along the Yellow and Yangtze rivers this year and the number of typhoons expected to hit the country will be in line with previous years, he said.

However, Chen said the overall severity of flooding would be less than last year, when the country experienced the heaviest flooding in South China since 1998.

Meanwhile, the country may experience more severe drought this year, especially in Northwest and North China, he said.

The ministry has already embarked on efforts to repair 17,600 flood-control facilities that were damaged during last year's flooding, and the work is expected to be finished before June, he said.

The ministry has already started nationwide checkups on the preparation for the upcoming flood season.

"We will be prepared for the worst scenarios," he said.