China warns of crop, animal disease outbreaks in flood-hit areas

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Hebei province, neighbouring the capital Beijing, was struck by heavy rainfalls last week. Local authorities must step up measures to prevent and control major disease outbreaks caused by dead animals, pests and insects, Agriculture Minister Tang Renjian said after an inspection of affected areas on Tuesday.

Waterlogging must be reduced and floodwaters from planted fields drained to minimise crop losses and ensure that winter wheat planting is unaffected, he said. “Agricultural and rural departments at all levels should accurately assess the disaster situation of farmers, help the affected farmers solve practical difficulties, and prevent disaster-caused poverty or return to poverty.”

Clean water supply has been cut off in some rural areas and Hebei cities such as Shijiazhuang where water pipes and wells were destroyed in the floods, affecting tens of thousands of people. The Water Resources ministry has declared an emergency response to quickly restore drinking water supplies, including setting up supply points and dispatching water trucks.