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CHINA: May 31, 2007
BEIJING - China warned on Wednesday of possible floods, landslides and other weather disasters over the next three days with heavy rain, strong winds and hail expected.
"Our country has entered the phase in which weather disasters may happen frequently," the official Xinhua news agency said, citing the national meteorological bureau.
"Local governments and departments should intensify inspections of key mountainous regions and prevent disasters such as floods, lightning strikes, mud and mountain slides," it said.
North China was expected to have wind and rain and the far western area of Xinjiang, the western province of Gansu and Inner Mongolia in the north were to have sand storms, the agency said.
Farmers in the north and central parts were told to harvest wheat soon to protect it from possible heavy rain, hail and strong winds. The agency did not mention the typhoon season which is getting under way in the south.
The bureau also warned schools and parents to ensure the safety of school children, it added.
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
