Warning, prevention key to mitigate disasters, official says

Instant warning systems are vital to preventing disasters caused by extreme weather, a senior official from the Ministry of Emergency Management said.

Vice-minister Zhou Xuewen said at a news conference organized by the State Council Information Office on Monday the country emphasizes prevention when dealing with natural disasters and is building a dense monitoring and forecast net.

"Accurate forecast for extreme weather remains hard across the world. However, the extreme weather that can cause disasters has caused many deaths and much economic loss," he said.

For example, floods caused by the rainstorm in Zhengzhou, Henan province inundated subway tunnels and mountains, he said.

Zhou said the ministry has established an enhanced warning system, improved cooperation between departments and urged local authorities to prepare better for relief.

From January to October, natural disasters in China affected a total of 106 million people, down 29.1 percent compared with the average of the same period in the past five years. A total of 855 were killed or missing in natural disasters, down 10.4 percent, Zhou said.