Flood, drought control still a problem

China has experienced significantly less damage from flood and droughts this year, but flood and drought control remains grim due to the high frequency of extreme weather events during what is the country's rainiest time of year, officials said.

The situation so far this year is not as grave as in normal years, Wang Daoxi, vice-minister of emergency management and water resources, said at a news conference organized by the State Council Information Office on Tuesday.

Compared with the same period over the past five years, China has on average experienced great decreases in casualties and direct economic losses from floods this year, and far fewer people have faced urgent evacuations, he said.