After almost a month of torrential rains caused widespread flooding and deadly mud and landslides, President Xi Jinping made a long-awaited demand that officials put people’s lives and safety at the top of their agenda, state media reported.

Eighty-one people were dead or missing, as of June 26, with more than 744,000 evacuated. More than 10,000 houses have collapsed, causing an estimated 2.78 billion yuan (US$393 million) of damage. The floods have inundated 26 provinces — covering almost half of the country, particularly in the south. About 14 million people have been affected, the reports said.

The floods have raised concern over the safety of China’s massive Three Gorges Dam, located in the worst-hit areas. Water levels of 13 rivers running through Sichuan, Chongqing and Guangxi have been raised above the critical point.

Xi pointed out that since June, heavy downpours have been recorded in Jiangnan, South China, and southwestern regions, according to Xinhua News Agency. Some of the flooded areas will be even more vulnerable during the upcoming typhoon season, Xinhua reported Xi as saying.

All relevant departments across the country have been upholding the party’s decisions and implementing its strategies for prevention, rescue and relief work, Xinhua said, adding that effective results have already been seen.

The government on June 28 warned that heavy rain will continue across many provinces in the south until June 30, with the amber rainstorm warning remaining in place.

Severe downpours are expected in Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu and Shanghai. Up to 200 millimeters — or about 8 inches — of rain is forecast in eastern Anhui, and central and southern Jiangsu.

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