China suffered severe flood disasters this year, with water levels
in some reaches of Yangtze River exceeding critical limits.
However, losses caused by the floods were far less than those in
either 1998, or any other since 1990, thanks to China's
increasingly stronger disaster prevention and abatement measures.
Vice-Minister of Civil Affairs Jiang Li made the remarks during a
symposium on October 9, the International Disaster Abatement
Day.
"The decrease in this year's disasters," Jiang said, "may be
attributed to a series of restoration decisions made by the State
Council since 1998, like reinforcing Yangtze River's dikes,
reclaiming land for lakes and the migration of large populations."
Currently, flood prevention measures in the Yangtze River and
surrounding areas have been greatly improved; the surface areas of
Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake have been enlarged strengthening
water reservation capabilities and flood drainage; the
eco-environment of lake areas has been enhanced; and the migration
of populations has reduced the threat of human casualties caused by
flood related disasters.
According to Jiang's introduction, China has set up a China
International Disaster Abatement Commission, established China's
21st Century Agenda and Disaster Abatement Programme (1998-2010),
promulgated a new series of relevant laws and regulations, and
constructed projects like Three Gorges Dam Project in Yangtze River
and Xiaolangdi Project in Yellow River. With advancements in
technology, the general disaster abatement mechanisms have been
brought to fruition. Meanwhile, disaster abatement has taken an
important role in economic and social development.
This year, 75 disasters were accurately forecasted, saving 3,806
people' lives. Currently, both the government and the people pay
more attention to disaster prevention and abatement than ever
before. Now the majority of provinces have launched growing rescue
schemes, with more than 20 rescue manoeuvres throughout the nation.
Since the strengthening of rescue measures, serious disasters can
now be reported to central government within 24 hours and victims
can receive assistance within the same time period.
It's reported that a proposal for the establishment of a National
Disaster Abatement Center has been approved, and that a National
Disaster Abatement Information System is under consideration. If
completed, disaster forecasts and evaluations and information for
making policies will become increasingly accurate.
(china.org.cn by Tang Fuchun, October 19, 2002)