Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu Monday urged officials at all levels in relevant areas to take precautions against Typhoon Kaemi expected to hit eastern China soon.

Addressing the meeting of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, Hui said the current situation is "very severe" and asked officials at all levels to be "fully prepared" for typhoons.

As of 16:00 on Monday, Typhoon Bilis has left 612 people dead, 208 missing, and 3.068 million relocated to safer places. In the same time, Typhoon Kaemi is on its way to hit eastern China.

Hui asked flood-control bureaus at each level to take effective prevention measures such as relocating people in danger, ordering offshore boats and fishermen to return, and consolidating facilities erecting high above the ground.

He also ordered to enhance surveillance over reservoirs and major rivers for potential floods, while looking out for possible mud-flow, land slide, and other similar disasters.

"The people's life should be placed on top priority," Hui said. "Measures should be taken to ensure food, clothing, shelter and medical aids for people in disaster-hit areas."

(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2006)