China stresses disaster prevention for bumper autumn harvest

BEIJING - China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Tuesday stressed targeted disaster prevention and mitigation measures in different areas to secure a bumper autumn harvest.

While the autumn grain area this year increased and the crops are growing well currently, the biggest threat to the harvest is meteorological disasters, said the ministry.

China will likely see more frequent extreme weather conditions in August and September, with more regional rainstorms, floods and droughts, forecasts from the country's meteorological authorities said.

Efforts should prevent early frosts in northeast China and restore production after disasters in the Yellow River, Huaihe River and Haihe River regions, the ministry said.

South China should be alert to disasters such as autumn droughts and typhoons. Northwest China should take advantage of the possible upcoming rainfalls to restore crop growth, the ministry said.