This year's devastating floods may not be over yet, Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu has said.

Hui issued the warning during a two-day inspection tour of the Yellow River, one of China's major waterways, in East China's Shandong Province on Friday and Saturday.

He also called on local authorities to continue flood control work and make good use of the water resource.

"The flood season for the Yellow River is not over yet, and new major flooding is still likely to occur,'' said Hui.

Hui, who also heads the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, said that this year flooding had hit some regions along the upper and lower reaches of the Yellow River. But local governments and people had fought a brave and successful battle against the floods so far, he said.

"However, we must remain alert and not relax our vigilance,'' Hui said, adding that a responsibility system should be established in flood prevention and control.

Hui also urged local officials to take care of flood victims and guarantee their safety, health and daily necessities.

During his tour, the vice-premier examined the Yellow River embankments. He also heard a report from the Yellow River Conservancy Committee, which oversees water conservation and flood control along the river.

Hui reviewed a programme diverting water from the Yellow River to Tianjin, a major industrial city close to Beijing which suffers from a longstanding water shortage.

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