Rain floods kill 15 people in southwest China, prompting Xi to call for stronger protection.
In recent weeks, heavy rains have caused disastrous floods and deadly mudslides, while hail storms and extremely high temperatures, which many people believe are the effect of global warming, have caused agony in many regions of the country.
Floods have forced thousands of people from their homes in Chongqing, destroying bridges and washing away homes and cars.
In addition to the 15 persons killed in recent days, four were still missing as of early Wednesday, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency, citing authorities.
15 Dead As Rain Floods South-West China
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According to Xinhua, the latest wave of heavy rain has disrupted the lives of more than 130,000 people and damaged more than 7,500 hectares of crops.
Floods in the Wanzhou area, northeast of Chongqing, have resulted in 227.8 million yuan ($31.5 million) in economic damages, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Social media videos showed raging floods in towns and cities, as well as people being evacuated through waist-deep water. Rescuers were shown cutting through a window security mesh to access occupants trapped in a flat in one video.
Xi demanded that authorities at all levels prioritise the safety of people and property, and he urged the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, as well as the ministries of emergency management and water resources, to improve coordination and warnings, according to Xinhua.
The finance and emergency management ministries announced 320 million yuan in emergency funds to aid disaster relief, including for Chongqing.
The Ministry of Water Resources launched flood emergency responses for the Inner Mongolia region, and Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces, CCTV reported.
Heavy rain is expected in those areas on Wednesday, state media reported./Reuters
