CRI听力：China Strengthens Efforts to Tackle Potential Risks in Quake Regions

China has laid out specific plans to address potential risks in the quake regions in southwest China as more precipitation is expected in the coming weeks.

Briefing the media at a press conference on Wednesday, Vice-Minister of Water Resources said despite measures to be taken for the dangers in the near future, will repair the water reservoirs damaged by the massive earthquake on May 12 within three years. 

Our reporter Zheng Chenguang brings more.(www.hxen.net)

Reporter:

Speaking at the news conference, Vice-Minister of Water Resources Jiao Yong said the infrastructure for many water reservoirs were severely damaged in the quake. Jiao Yong explains the different categories of the damages.

"First, infrastructure works such as reservoirs and embankments have been seriously damaged. Second, lots of quake lakes have been formed. Third, more than 9 million people in the quake region have drinking water problems."

Besides, rural basic water facilities including irrigation systems and small-scale water power stations have also been seriously damaged. Jiao Yong said efforts are now being made to tackle these problems.

"We are now working under the guidance of State Council's post-quake reconstruction planning group. We plan to repair all the reservoirs that have been damaged in the quake within three years."

The vice minister pointed out that besides the efforts made to restore those damaged facilities, great attention should also be paid to address the potential risks when flood season comes.

More rains have been forecasted for the quake-hit Sichuan and Shaanxi Provinces, about 20 to 50 percent more than in normal years. Jiao Yong said serious flooding might occur if heavy rains are concentrated in certain regions.

Jiao Yong said a couple of measures have been considered to control the potential risk.

"First of all, we should fight with time to repair facilities that were damaged in the quake. And we should also keep the water level low at the reservoirs to ensure security. Besides, we should remove all quake lakes before the flood season with a safe, rapid and scientific approach."

The vice minister stressed that early warning and forecast of floods should be enhanced and emergency plans for evacuation should also be well prepared.

Zheng Chenguang, CRI news.