Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial People's Congress, visits Sichuan Provincial Meteorological Service for an inspection, August 7, 2024.

On August 7, Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial People's Congress, successively visited the Sichuan Provincial Meteorological Service, the Sichuan Provincial Institute of Territorial Spatial Ecological Restoration and Geohazard Prevention and Control, and the Chengdu Center of the China Geological Survey, met with and expressed his regards to the officials and staff on the front line of their duties, and inspected work on accurate meteorological forecasting for the flood season and monitoring and early warning of geological hazards. He emphasized the need to fully implement the plans and requirements of the CPC Central Committee and the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee on disaster prevention, mitigation and relief, consistently place the safety of people's lives as the top priority, further establish the concept that "prevention is better than relief", strengthen sci-tech empowerment, improve monitoring methods, and continuously exert efforts to enhance the accuracy of forecasts and early warnings, so as to provide strong support for winning the tough battle of disaster prevention, mitigation and relief.

Wang Xiaohui first visited the Sichuan Provincial Meteorological Service. While observing the demonstrations such as the meteorological monitoring and big data platform, the meteorological forecasting service platform, and the meteorological early warning release platform, he learned in detail about the procedures involved in meteorological data archiving, the creation of meteorological forecasting products, and the distribution of early warning information, viewed the meteorological emergency command vehicle display to observe its practical applications, and received a report on the weather analysis for the upcoming period and the accurate meteorological predictions for key areas within the province. Furthermore, he conveyed his appreciation to the meteorological department for its long-standing contributions to the economic and social development of Sichuan. He noted that meteorological forecasting and early warning play a crucial guiding role in defending against and responding to natural disasters such as flash floods, landslides, and debris flow. From now until mid-August, the province will experience a synoptic process characterized by heavy rainfall in certain areas. The meteorological department must persist in its role as a "vanguard", adhere strictly to duty shifts and on-call protocols, strengthen comprehensive and three-dimensional (3D) meteorological monitoring, and issue meteorological forecasts and early warnings promptly and accurately so as to contribute to securing additional time and initiative for the effective prevention and response to a variety of disasters. Wang Xiaohui emphasized that severe convective weather, including short-term heavy rainfall and thunderstorm gales, tends to be highly disaster-prone; consequently, enhancing short-term weather forecasting and nowcasting is especially crucial. It is essential to utilize radar, satellites, meteorological stations, and other tools to gather real-time observational data and integrate technical methods, such as numerical weather prediction and artificial intelligence, to provide accurate forecasts for specific areas, times, and weather conditions, thus striving for the valuable opportunities to maximize the protection of people's lives and property.

Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial People's Congress, visits the Sichuan Provincial Institute of Territorial Spatial Ecological Restoration and Geohazard Prevention and Control for an inspection, August 7, 2024.

At the Provincial Institute of Territorial Spatial Ecological Restoration and Geohazard Prevention and Control, Wang Xiaohui listened attentively to introductions on the cross-departmental meteorological data sharing and the progress in the establishment of a geohazard and meteorological risk early warning mechanism, carefully observed demonstrations of the province's information platforms, such as the geohazard and meteorological risk warning system and the real-time monitoring and early warning platform for geohazards, and viewed a post-disaster 3D real-scene remote sensing image of the flash flood and mudslide affected Ridi Village of Guzan Town in Kangding City, the emergency survey and monitoring equipment, and other displays. He noted that Sichuan is characterized by a large number of potential geohazard points that are widely distributed, and some hidden and unpredictable hazard sites are challenging to identify due to factors such as complex topographical features, landforms, and vegetation coverage in the area. We should develop an integrated multi-source 3D observation system that combines satellite, aerial and ground-based technologies, further enhance the accuracy of identifying geohazard potential points, effectively determine the comprehensive status of the province's geohazard risks, and allow for timely and dynamic adjustments. It is essential to prioritize prevention efforts, reinforce the multi-departmental joint consultation and coordination mechanism, timely release geohazard risk levels, place a special focus on areas that host critical infrastructure and dense populations, improve short-term weather forecasting and nowcasting capabilities, and provide scientific guidance for implementing preventive measures. Wang Xiaohui highlighted the critical need to enhance prevention and response efforts in weak links, particularly non-traditional risk areas and hazardous zones in uninhabited regions, in view of the recent unexpected flash flood and mudslide disasters in the province. It is crucial to maintain a systematic approach to thinking and consider worst-case scenarios, extend enhanced monitoring and early warning efforts beyond high-risk areas, assign dedicated personnel to intensify patrols, ensure prompt response and swift action in emergencies, and relocate affected populations decisively in a bid to ensure the solid safeguarding of people's lives.

Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial People's Congress, visits the Chengdu Center of the China Geological Survey for an inspection, August 7, 2024.

At the Chengdu Center of the China Geological Survey, Wang Xiaohui received a briefing on the center's role in supporting the prevention of sudden major geological hazards in the province in recent years, as well as its engagement in fundamental and demonstrative work related to the prevention and control of geohazards. He toured the Geological Safety Physics Simulation Laboratory, inquired about the construction progress of the physical simulation test site for landslides and debris flow disasters, and recognized the center's accomplishments in the sci-tech innovation for geological safety. He emphasized that sci-tech innovation is vital in preventing and controlling geological hazards. We must harness new technologies and methods, including satellites, drones, the Internet of Things, big data, and artificial intelligence, to develop versatile, smart real-time monitoring and early warning systems, improve our ability in geological hazard risk assessment, and support primary levels to enhance their comprehensive capabilities for disaster prevention and mitigation. Wang Xiaohui stated that geological hazard management projects are crucial for the safety of people's lives and property, constituting critical public welfare and life safety initiatives. Disaster management should adhere to the principles of treating situations according to appropriate conditions, adapting measures to local conditions, and prioritizing based on importance and urgency. It should adopt a scientific approach to designing preventive measures and enhance defense standards in key areas and sites. For residential areas highly vulnerable to geological hazards and unsuitable for engineering solutions, it is imperative to initiate proactive evacuation while fully respecting the residents' wishes and following the requirement of enabling relocation, ensuring stability, and fostering prosperity, actively and orderly advance the emergency relocation efforts, and strive to fundamentally address geological hazard risks at their source.

Vice Governors of the People's Government of Sichuan Province Hu Yun and Zuo Yongxiang, along with leading officials from relevant provincial departments, participated in the inspection.