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| China makes drastic efforts to control record flooding |
| CCTV.COM 2003-07-08 12:07:25 |
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 China's flood－stricken areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Huaihe River are expected to experience heavy rains in the next two or three days. Flood control authorities have strengthened their efforts to ease the threat.
According to weather forecasts, most areas along the Huaihe River will have heavy rains or rainstorms beginning Tuesday, especially in east China's Anhui Province. After assessing the situation, Anhui Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters announced flood control measures for the near future.
 According to the headquarters, initial flood control efforts in Anhui Province have had some success. For the next period, the prime task is to protect against the dangers that exist during flood diversion.
"There are five criteria for the flood control efforts: first, no casualties； second, no bursting of the dykes of the Huaihe River； third, safety of the main lines of communication； fourth, safety of people's lives and property； and the last, the safety of water conservation projects, and safe pass of flood crests," said Wang Jinshan, head of Huaihe River Flood Control HQ, Governor of Anhui Province.
Meanwhile, in the neighboring Jiangsu Province, the lower reaches of the Huaihe River, flood control efforts have also been intensified. In Hongze county, where the Huaihe River enters the Hongze Lake, the water level has reached 14.3 meters, one meter higher than the safe line.
The local government organized the people to reinforce the dykes and embankment to lower the possibility of disaster. Over 8,000 residents in the area have been evacuated to the relatively safe upper regions.
 In Xuyu county of Jiangsu Province, twelve towns were submerged by flood. More than 20,000 residents in those counties have been evacuated. The local government assembled a 1,000－strong emergency team and large amount of materials in an effort to control the flooding.
Besides the Huaihe River, the water level of Dongting Lake in central China's Hunan province, one of China's three largest freshwater lakes, has passed the 31－meter mark, exceeding the safety line. There's also increasing pressure on flood controls in the Dongting Lake area. Flood discharge measures in the area began on Sunday.
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Editor: Xiao Wei CCTV.com
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