Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu Sunday urged local governments to adopt measures to control the increasing flood in the Huaihe River.

The Huaihe River cuts across China between the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, running through Henan, Anhui and Jiangsu provinces. The areas along the river are prone to floods and droughts in history.

Rainstorms have slashed the Huaihe River since July 5, triggering flood at the mainstream and many tributaries, including Hongru, Shaying and Wohe rivers.

The situation is critical, according to the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

The relevant departments should work hard to check the dams, prepare anti-flood materials and rid possible dangers in time, and the meteorologists should provide accurate and timely information to help make scientific flood-control decisions, Hui said after hearing the report from the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

The reservoirs along the rivers should discharge water scientifically and the people in possible danger should be evacuated in time, Hui said.

The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters have sent task forces to help control flood.
 
(Xinhua News Agency July 11, 2005)