Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has called for continuous efforts in flood control and disaster relief as typhoon Kaemi has left more than 100 people dead or missing in the Chinese mainland.

Hui made the remarks at a working conference of the state disaster reduction commission this week.

Hui, also head of the commission, asked officials and related governmental departments to be well-prepared for rainstorms and ensuing floods that may hit the country, which is in rainy and flooding season, at any moment.

China faces a tough challenge in disaster relief as the nation has been haunted by repeated natural disasters such as typhoons, rainstorms, floods, landslides and mud-rock flows this year, Hui said.

The safety of people and their property must be given top priority, Hui warned.

"We must be aware of the weaknesses in our emergency response mechanism," Hui said.

The vice premier said that warning information should be published as soon as possible and emergency schemes should be launched when necessary.

Hui also asked local governments to ensure supply of subsistence necessities to people affected by floods and other disasters, and help them restart farming production and rebuild destroyed houses.

(Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2006)