Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has ordered authorities to coordinate emergency flood preparations as water levels on a major river reach danger levels.

Flood control and relief work along the Huaihe River, which runs across central China, was at a critical moment as the region was still seeing heavy rain, Hui said at a work conference in Anhui Province on Sunday.

He said local authorities should take immediate actions to prevent floods as water flows in some parts of the river were about to hit danger levels.

Meteorologists forecast the Huaihe River to be one of the worst-hit regions this year, with 20 percent to 50 percent more rain than average for the time of year. The typhoon season was likely to exacerbate the situation.

Hui called for the joint efforts of central government agencies to enhance river and water monitoring as well as weather forecasts. He also stressed that safety precautions should be strengthened.

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

At least 146 people have been confirmed dead and 40 missing in 11 south China provinces this month as rainstorms and consequent floods, reportedly worst in years in some regions, continue to wreak havoc, the Civil Affairs Ministry said.

About 124,000 homes have been destroyed and more than 1.3 million people have been relocated, it said.

Direct economic losses were estimated at about 29.5 billion yuan (4.32 billion U.S. dollars).