Li pledges greater efforts to fight floods

Premier calls for local governments to step up response to damaging deluges

Premier Li Keqiang has vowed to reduce casualties, safeguard vital embankments and reservoirs and take good care of people in flood-hit areas after recent downpours hit northern and southern parts of China.

He was speaking during a visit on Friday to the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, which comprises 20 central government departments charged with combating flooding and drought.