CHENGDU, June 27, 2009 -- Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has urged local officials in quake-hit Sichuan Province to step up efforts ahead of the coming flood season.

During a visit from June 25-27, Hui said flood-control conditions in areas hit by last year's devastating quake were "rather grim," as the flood season was coming and potentially risky spots were widely scattered.

He asked local authorities to put people's lives first and beef up efforts to ensure the safety of reservoirs, embankments and "quake lakes." Such lakes are formed by debris from earthquakes.

Defense projects should be consolidated to guard against mountain floods, landslips and mudslides, he said.

He also called for more efforts to channel quake lakes and speedy reconstruction of water-conservation facilities shattered by the quake.

Local authorities should closely monitor extreme weather changes and relocate people promptly, he said.