Torrential rains have caused devastating floods in much of China, leaving more than 150 people dead and scores missing.
The northern province of Hebei has suffered the worst of the deluge and highest number of casualties, according to state media, with 114 dead and 111 missing.
More than 300,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes.
The rainstorms have flooded streams, triggered landslides and caused at least 50,000 homes to collapse.
Public anger has erupted as people contend officials did not warn them in sufficient time about the coming downpours.
Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang held a national meeting on flood control and disaster relief Saturday in Beijing, where he urged local governments to put the safety of people first and to strengthen flood control measures.
The heavy rains are the latest to hit China during a rainy summer that has seen the death of more than 200 people and more than 1.5 million hectares of crops damaged, costing some $3 billion in losses, according to Chinese officials who have put the number of people affected at over 8.5 million.
