Senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) He Guoqiang has ordered enhanced efforts in disaster relief and reconstruction during a trip to a storm-hit county in northwest China's Gansu Province.

He, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks Saturday when he visited Minxian County, where at least 47 people were killed and 12 missing following hail and torrential rains that battered the area last week.

When visiting villagers affected by the disaster, He urged local officials to take conrete measures to solve their living difficulties, help improve their disaster prevention awareness and skills, and ensure enough supply of food, clothes, water and shelter.

He, who also is head of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, urged local authorities to improve efforts in treating the injured, monitoring secondary disasters and preventing epidemics.

He also visted soldiers and police who were conducting disaster relief operations in the county.

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2012,)