Regulations on Meteorological Disaster Prevention Take Effect on April 1

The Regulations on Meteorological Disaster Prevention will officially take effect on April 1. The State Council Information Office held a press conference on the 30th, at which Zheng Guoguang, Administrator of the China Meteorological Administration, and Gao Fengtao, Deputy Director of the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council, presented information on the promulgation and implementation of the Regulations on Meteorological Disaster Prevention.

On January 27 of this year, Premier Wen Jiabao signed State Council Decree No. 570, promulgating the Regulations on Meteorological Disaster Prevention. Gao Fengtao said this is China's first comprehensive administrative regulation governing meteorological disaster prevention work. Formulating and implementing the Regulations on Meteorological Disaster Prevention is necessary to respond to the new situation of climate change and to avoid and reduce losses from meteorological disasters, and is necessary to improve the legal system for natural disaster prevention and advance administration according to law.

Gao Fengtao introduced that the Regulations on Meteorological Disaster Prevention consist of 6 chapters and 48 articles, mainly providing for four aspects:

First, in terms of meteorological disaster prevention, it provides that governments at all levels and all departments shall, according to the characteristics and impact of local meteorological disasters, draw up corresponding meteorological disaster prevention plans and emergency response plans, and strengthen the construction of prevention facilities in accordance with the plans.

Second, in terms of meteorological disaster monitoring, forecasting and early warning, it requires relevant local governments to strengthen monitoring work in disaster-prone areas and improve the disaster information sharing system.

Third, in terms of emergency handling of meteorological disasters, it requires relevant governments and departments to promptly make decisions to activate plans, take necessary emergency management measures, and organize the timely relocation and evacuation of affected people.

Fourth, in terms of building the meteorological disaster prevention mechanism, it focuses on establishing a coordinated disaster prevention mechanism featuring government leadership, departmental coordination and social participation.