Chongqing- Relevant officials briefed a census of comprehensive natural disaster risks conducted in southwestern China's Chongqing Municipality at Tuesday's press conference.

Compared with the censuses of population, agriculture, and economy, the comprehensive risks census of natural disasters is the first of its kind in China.

The first national natural disaster comprehensive risk census press conference was held in Chongqing on June 15. (iChongqing/ Vivian Yan)

Last July, the leading group and office for the first natural disaster comprehensive risk census was set up in Chongqing. A series of pilot censuses were carried out in Banan district and Hechuan district.

By the end of May this year, the census tasks in various industries from the two districts have been basically completed and will soon be fully launched in the city.

Last July, the leading group and office for the first natural disaster comprehensive risk census was set up in Chongqing. (iChongqing/ Vivian Yan)

According to Liu Guangcai, deputy director of Chongqing Emergency Management Bureau, the census aims to find out the potential risks of natural disasters, identify the disaster reduction capacity of key regions, and understand the comprehensive risk level of natural disasters in each region. It serves as a comprehensive survey of natural disaster risk factors, involving six key tasks.  

Specifically, it includes the investigation of disaster-causing information, such as geological, flood and drought, forest fire, meteorological and earthquake disasters; disaster-bearing body investigation, including population, housing, infrastructure, public service facilities, tertiary industries, resources and environment, etc.; and historical disaster investigation and assessment.

At the same time, comprehensive disaster reduction capacity survey and assessment, including government, social, and grass-roots capacity; investigation and assessment of key hidden dangers, including all types of disaster fields and secondary key hidden dangers; risk assessment and zoning, including the three tasks of risk assessment, risk zoning, and risk prevention and control zoning are also included.

Liu emphasized that one of the key tasks of the census is “comprehensive”. Apart from 9 leading departments including emergency, capital planning, water conservancy, forestry, meteorology, earthquake, housing and construction, transportation, and urban management, dozens of disaster prevention and reduction departments and units are also needed to engage in the census of natural disasters.

(Du Min, as an intern, also contributed to this report.)