A recent document issued by the State Council urging city authorities to improve sewage systems and flood-prevention and control facilities is the government's overdue effort to reduce the death toll and damage resulting from floods.

According to the document, city administrators should devise rainstorm-response and anti-flood emergency plans before this year's rainy season arrives, which usually ranges from May to August across the country's southern and northern regions.

They are also asked to complete rainwater and sewage diversion systems and to upgrade their underground drainage pipelines where necessary within five years. The document also urges an adequate drainage and flood prevention system be set up within a period of about 10 years.