China will spare no effort to ensure the former novel coronavirus epicenter Hubei Province is well protected from flooding this summer, according to the Ministry of Water Resources on Thursday, amid warnings that heavier-than-usual rain could cause widespread damage.

The water levels in 148 rivers in China have risen above warning thresholds, Vice Minister of Water Resources Ye Jianchun told a news conference in Beijing.

The mayor of Hubei's provincial capital, Wuhan, which is at the confluence of the Yangtze and Han rivers in central China and saw the first reported novel coronavirus cases last year, warned in March of the need to prepare for floods.

"No matter what the situation, we will pay special attention to the flood control work of Hubei," Ye said.

"And we hope that after all efforts, Hubei will not have problems in flood control and the people of Hubei will not be made to suffer any more."

Noting that there are many rivers and lakes in Hubei, Ye said flood control in the province would be a "very heavy" task even without the epidemic.

The challenge was even greater this year because the epidemic has coincided with the usual preparation period, he added.

Nevertheless, Ye said his department had been working on flood control in Hubei since February and the province had done a good job under difficult circumstances.

Hubei will speed up renovation work on buildings previously damaged in floods and eliminate potential hazards, Ye said, assuring that the authorities would be "targeted" and "meticulous" in their monitoring of rainfall.

(All images via VCG)

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