BEIJING, July 6 (Xinhua) -- China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has upgraded the flood-control emergency response for south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from Level III to Level II, the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) said Monday.
The move came after dangerous conditions were reported at several reservoirs amid torrential rains brought by Typhoon Maysak.
The national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief has also activated a Level-IV national disaster relief emergency response for Guangxi. A joint work team from the headquarters has been dispatched to the region to guide flood-control and rescue operations.
Dangerous conditions were reported Monday at several reservoirs in Nanning and Guigang due to the typhoon and heavy rainfall. The office of the headquarters and the MEM continued to coordinate emergency response efforts and organized a joint consultation with the China Meteorological Administration, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and the Ministry of Transport.
National-level emergency command operations were activated.
At the request of Guangxi authorities, the MEM dispatched two Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicles to provide emergency communications support in disaster-hit areas. Together with the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, it also allocated emergency relief supplies to help meet the basic living needs of affected residents.
A total of 1,372 personnel from the China National Comprehensive Fire and Rescue Team, along with 270 vehicles and 140 boats, have been deployed to the affected areas. Another 350 specialized rescuers have been sent to the scene with rescue equipment.
China has a four-tier flood-control emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe.
China's National Development and Reform Commission has allocated 100 million yuan (about 14.7 million U.S. dollars) from the central budget to support post-disaster emergency restoration in Guangxi, the commission said Monday.
The funds will be used mainly for the emergency restoration of damaged infrastructure, including roads and water conservancy facilities, as well as public service facilities such as schools and hospitals, to help restore normal production and daily life as soon as possible.
Parts of Guangxi have recently been hit by severe rainstorms and floods brought by Typhoon Maysak, causing casualties and property losses. ■
