CHANGCHUN, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on Monday called for increased efforts in combating ongoing floods.

Hui said at a meeting on flood control held in Siping City, Jilin Province that the task was of great importance to secure the country's food safety and promote national economic and social development.

The task remained challenging since earlier strong rainfalls caused flooding along the swollen Liaohe River and branches of the Yellow and Songhua rivers, Hui said.

Hui urged local authorities to assure that combating floods remained on top of their agendas and also improve water monitoring and weather forecasting to provide early warning to residents.

The safety and welfare of the public should be given top priority in flood control work, he said.

Hui also demanded that efforts continue to fight drought in northern China, the country's major grain production region.