2010-06-30 21:05

A man rides through the flood on a motorbike in Hefei, capital of East China's Anhui province, June 29, 2010. [Photo/CFP]

BEIJING -- As of Wednesday, flooding in China has killed 392 people this year, with 143 still missing, the nation' s flood control authority said Wednesday.

Torrential rains have pounded 23 provincial-level regions, which have affected 72.97 million people and 4.63 million hectares of farmland, according to data from the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

The office ordered authorities involved in emergency activities to ramp up anti-flood measures on Wednesday, stepping up efforts to ensure that reservoirs are not breached by rising waters.

Also, local agencies were required to strengthen flood monitoring, early warning and inspections on the reservoirs to watch for hidden dangers in a bid to ensure the public' s safety and reduce property losses.