2010-07-18 21:28

BEIJING - Water levels in the upper- and middle-sections of the Yangtze River have risen due to heavy rainfalls, a statement on the website of China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said Sunday.

The level in Dongting Lake had risen to 32.53 meters at 10:00 a.m. Sunday, about 0.02 meters above the alert level and the first time the level has risen above the alert level this flood season.

The Three Gorges Reservoir flood peak is expected to be at a speed of 66,000 cubic meters per second Monday, said Liu Ning, vice minister of water resources.

The situation is severe in the upper- and middle-sections of the Yangtze River, Liu said.

The headquarters has urged local governments to step up efforts to fight the floods.

The headquarters Saturday allocated 15,000 life jackets to Jiangxi Province and dispatched eight teams to affected areas.