BEIJING - A leading expert has urged government departments at all levels to share information in a timely manner to take better precautions against natural disasters.

China has already developed a sound early warning system against natural disasters, said Shi Peijun, deputy director of the expert committee of the National Disaster Reduction Committee.

"However, due to the lack of communication between the central government and its local branches, some information cannot be transmitted on time," the People's Daily quoted him as saying on Wednesday.