Society

Water levels on Yangtze River, Taihu Lake rise

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-17 16:02

A man swims in Yangtze River in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, July 16, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Heavy rains have caused water levels on the Yangtze River and Taihu Lake to rise, prompting local governments to step up disaster prevention work.

Related readings:  Conson weakens into tropical storm; rains forecast  Typhoon Conson hits Hainan; 2 killed  Flights, ferries halted as Typhoon Conson nears  Typhoon Conson to make landfall in Hainan today

The water level in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River had risen to 20.59 meters as of 8 am Saturday, 0.59 meters over the alarm level, the Jiujiang Hydrology Station reported, China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said Saturday (SFDH).

The torrential rains that have ravaged central and southern China in recent days have also pushed water levels in Poyang Lake and Taihu Lake to dangerous levels.

The SFDH has asked local governments to strengthen inspection of reservoirs and dikes and to prevent any breaches. Local authorities should take all measures to lower water levels and ensure people's safety, it said.

The SFDH has canceled its level-three disaster emergency response for Typhoon Conson after it weakened into a severe tropical storm early Saturday.