Heavy rain has again hit the central part of northwest China's Shaanxi Province over the past three days, which may lead to more flooding in the Weihe River valley.

From Wednesday night until Friday, the Weinan Prefecture in eastern Shaanxi, where serious flooding has struck in the past two weeks, was hit by heavy rain.

The provincial flood prevention headquarters and local departments concerned have issued notices to every county and district in Weinan urging local governments to pay close attention to the potential for flooding.

"Because the embankment of Weihe has become softer after the soaking it got from the previous flood, and the damaged embankments of Weihe's tributaries have not been rebuilt completely, any new flooding will cause disaster if we do not prepare properly," the provincial flood prevention headquarters said.

According to weather forecasts, most of Shaanxi can expect rain over the weekend and some parts of the province's central and southern regions will continue to be hit by heavy rain.

While paying great attention to the potential for flooding, the local government is also providing provisions and shelters for the people hit by the flooding.

At a conference on Thursday, the provincial government asked all governments and departments concerned at all levels to ensure that all of those suffering from the past flooding have enough food and clothing and are assisted in terms of housing for the coming winter.

And the provincial government also urged the Weinan government to drain the water from inundated areas quickly, to make sure the autumn sowing can go ahead as usual.

In Weinan, which suffered serious flooding in late August, there are still more than 120,000 people living in tents and they are in need of warm clothing for the coming winter, said Cao Lili, mayor of Weinan.

(China Daily September 20, 2003)