Effective communication is vital in tackling flood dangers, said an article in the Southern Metropolis Daily (excerpts below).

The floods in Northeast and South China have caused huge losses both in lives and material. Local governments must improve their warning delivery systems.

The Guangdong government did not fully realize the gravity of the approaching disaster and consequently did not properly inform its residents.

In Liaoning province, despite repeated warnings, many residents chose to ignore the danger until it was too late.

The media should stop eulogizing rescue work and turn their attention to the failures of getting adequate information about impending disasters to the general public.