China has developed a flood prevention scheme for the densely populated area surrounding the flood-prone Huaihe River, which flows through four provinces.
The scheme, developed by the Huaihe River Water Resources Committee, requires that preparations be made to secure major dams, large and medium-sized reservoirs, traffic trunk lines and cities along the river.
With the advent of the summer flood season, the committee has called for the accelerated construction of water conservancy projects and the reparation of dams destroyed by last year's flooding.
To protect the lives of the valley's residents, the committee is insisting that comprehensive emergency evacuation plans must be prepared.
The committee has also prohibited individuals or institutions from excavating sand so as to avoid jamming waterways and heightening the risks of flooding.
Given the river's susceptibility to water pollution during the flood season, the committee is requiring that waste treatment efforts be intensified and that environmental concerns be given priority.
Measuring 1,100 kilometers in length, the river winds through Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu and Shandong provinces, which are home to a total of more than 150 million people.
(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2003)
