BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's National Disaster Reduction Commission issued an urgent circular on Monday, ordering the civil affairs authorities across the country to step up measures to prevent and control floods and other rain-triggered disasters.

The circular came amid weather forecasts predicting two more periods of heavy rainfall across the country, which has suffered the worst floods in at least a decade this summer.

The civil affairs authorities must closely monitor the development of torrential rains and guard against flooding, geological disaster and other rain-triggered disasters, it said.

Further, it ordered the evacuation and relocation of residents in high risk areas prone to flooding, landslide, and mudslide, and said that disaster relief materials and temporary shelters must be in place well in advance.

It also asked civil affairs authorities to increase publicity of disaster-related information and survival tips.