First national survey to map metrological disasters

China will endeavor to promote an early warning service to address increasing metrological hazards resulting from climate change as the country rolls out a national survey on natural disaster risks, officials said.

China is one of the countries to suffer the most from meteorological disasters. While they currently account for 70 percent of losses caused by natural disasters, they also tend to result in increasingly greater losses, and to have even greater negative impact given the backdrop of global warming, said Wang Zhihua, director-general of disaster relief and public service at the China Meteorological Administration.

"Metrological disasters are a priority in disaster prevention and mitigation in the country," he told a news conference organized by the State Council Information Office on Tuesday.

On the basis of the ongoing national survey, which will help identify the major areas prone to natural disasters and other vulnerable locations, the administration will work to develop an early warning system for metrological disasters, he continued.

"In the future, we are not only going to forecast the weather, but also forecast the impact of potential meteorological events, and locate areas at greater risk," he said.

Wang added that the survey will also help guide local authorities in drafting more durable standards for construction, as they step up efforts to make areas in their jurisdiction more resilient to meteorological disasters.

The survey, the first of its kind in China, is aimed at uncovering hidden hazards across the country, and at getting a clear picture of the regional ability to mitigate natural disasters, said Zheng Guoguang, head of the office for the survey.

Former head of the China Earthquake Administration, Zheng said the survey will include the investigation and assessment of factors behind 22 major natural disasters, including earthquakes and floods.

The national undertaking will involve 17 central government bodies and all local governments at the provincial, prefectural and county levels, he added.

According to the Ministry of Emergency Management, which is leading the survey, pilot programs will start in June across 120 county-level areas. The entire survey is expected to be completed across the country by the end of 2022.

Zheng said that separate databases will be set up for different regions and different types of natural disasters once the survey is concluded. Apart from supporting disaster control, the databases are also expected to serve as references for local governments when they draft planning for land use.