Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (2nd R, front) directs relief effort on the main dike of the Yangtze River in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, July 6, 2016. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has said that the country should prepare for an arduous campaign against floods as July-August is "a key period for flood control."
The premier made the remarks during a tour of Anhui, Hunan and Hubei provinces on Tuesday and Wednesday to see flood control and disaster relief at first hand.
Since June 30, heavy rain along the Yangtze River and its tributaries has left 128 people dead and 42 unaccounted for, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said Tuesday.
With the worst perhaps yet to come in July and August, the country must take precautions and prepare to keep residents safe, Li said.
After visiting a flooded area in Anhui Province, the premier told local authorities to prioritize saving lives and possessions, and give people the confidence to win the war against floods.
The waterlogging in many cities is not only a result of continuous rain, but also reflects the country's "historic debts in city construction," Li said.
While relocating people affected by the floods, local authorities should step up housing renovations and build integrated underground pipeline corridors, Li said.
