China's quake relief headquarters is calling for immediate prevention of secondary disasters amid aftershocks and rain storms. Premier Wen Jiabao presided over the meeting of the quake relief headquarters of the State Council on Monday. Premier Wen Jiabao (C Back) presides over the 19th meeting of the quake relief headquarters of the State Council (Cabinet) in Beijing, capital of China, June 16, 2008. The meeting focused on the prevention of secondary disasters of quake.

The meeting warned of new geological disasters, such as landslides and mud-rock flows, due to the long-lasting aftershocks and much stronger precipitation as rivers enter flood season. Prevention work will be focused in the quake zone and the rain-lashed southern regions. The meeting agreed work must be sped up to remove the dangers of barrier lakes, quake-damaged dams and hydropower plants as well as dikes on major rivers.

The headquarters urged local authorities to strengthen the monitoring of rains, floods and aftershocks. Quake-hit regions were asked to base their recovery plans on geological hazard assessment.

To avoid secondary disasters, about 50,000 residents have been asked to move from highly-dangerous terrain in Wenchuan to shelters built on open and solid ground before June 30.

(CCTV.com June 18, 2008)