Premier Wen Jiabao has presided over a executive meeting of the State Council to oversee the fight against an ongoing drought in Northern China.

He urged local governments to take more efforts to ensure that agricultural production is not greatly affected by the dry weather. Wen called for strengthened supervision on weather forecasts. He said construction on water projects should be improved and that an overall administration of water sources should be planned.

A severe drought has hit north China and the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow and Huaihe rivers. Premier Wen said local governments must focus on fighting the drought and support farmers with technology, relief facilities, funds and materials. Wen said local authorities must ensure that people have access to drinking water in the hardest hit regions.