10,000 evacuated in E China downpour

NANCHANG - Downpours since Thursday have caused flooding threats in rivers and lakes in East China's Jiangxi province, forcing an evacuation of some 10,000 people by Saturday.

A villager walks on a flooded road in Gangdong village, Duchang county, Jiangxi province on June 7, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Jiangxi provincial headquarters of flood control and drought relief said on Saturday that the downpour has caused flooding disasters in 122 townships in 13 counties and cities, affecting the lives of 229,000 residents.

Six cities in Jiangxi received precipitation of over 200 mm in 24 hours before 7 pm on Friday.

The province's major Wan'an and Junmin reservoirs have seen the water level brimming over danger marks. Poyang county, which is seated by Poyang Lake, China's largest freshwater lake, on Saturday announced a start to its emergency response system to prevent the lake from flooding as the downpour continues.

The provincial authorities have urged local authorities to reinforce patrolling along the levees and river embankments in flood prevention.