Staff members of the Wuqing district water management bureau in Tianjin work to examine the water flow on Aug 1, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

TIANJIN / CHANGCHUN - Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing on Saturday urged work to reinforce dikes and levees and keep flood relief channels clear.

Zhang Guoqing said central and local state-owned enterprises should play a professional role at this moment

Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited Tianjin on Saturday and went to the flood fighting front lines to check on water levels and dam reinforcement work.

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Extremely heavy rainfall hit Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei recently, bringing challenges for downstream flood discharge in the Haihe River basin, he said.

Given upstream uncertainty, it is necessary to reinforce dams which are crucial or relatively weak, he said, adding that central and local state-owned enterprises should play a professional role at this moment.

He also urged full preparation of flood fighting equipment, 24-hour patrols on dikes and proper relocation of residents. 

Meanwhile, six people have been killed and four remain missing after heavy rain battered the city of Shulan in northeast China's Jilin province, local authorities said Saturday night.

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As of Saturday noon, nine reservoirs exceeding flood limits in the city had maintained proper discharge. The current round of rainfall has now basically ended.

A total of 18,916 people have been evacuated, with 21 temporary relocation facilities established. Also, rescue forces have restored functionality of 85 electricity and 26 telecommunication facilities.

Shulan had been experiencing continuous rainy weather since Tuesday night. As of 3:00 pm Friday, the average daily precipitation had reached 111.7 mm.