The water level at the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze
and Huaihe rivers has risen on all fronts since the rainy season
began last week, presenting a severe test for China’s flood control
facilities. Two-thirds of 12 hydraulic observation centers along
the Yangtze River, China's largest, have reported higher water
levels since June 16.
The water level at Wuhan climbed 45 centimeters in three days,
reaching 21.6 meters by June 17.
Local meteorological departments are forecasting two belts of
heavy rain that will cover much of the northern and southern
regions this summer.
South China is expected to have more rainfall than last year.
Floods are likely to hit the Yangtze River and southeast part of
the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, as these regions will have more rainfall
than in previous years. Rainfall during the June-August flood
season on the Jianghan Plain, in Hubei
Province, is expected to be 20 percent higher than last year.
The water level at Wuhan may reach a peak of 27 meters, which is
2.5 to 3.0 meters higher than the ground level of Hankou.
Meanwhile, embankments along the main trunk of the Yangtze River
and its tributaries remain weak. The flood-relief capability in
many areas is poor, and undetected problems are certain to have
arisen at some reservoirs since the Three Gorges began to store
water.
(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2004)