China issued a flood warning on Tuesday as the water level in
the lower reaches of the Huaihe River, one of China's major rivers,
is expected to surpass the critical mark within two days.
Recent rainstorms in the upper reaches have raised the water
level from 20.51 meters on 30 June to 27.51 meters on Tuesday, one
centimeter higher than the warning level, according to Wangjiaba
Hydrometric Station in east China's Anhui province.
According to weather forecasts, there will be 75 millimeters of
rain in the upper reaches over the next two days, which will lift
the water level above 28 meters, only one meter lower than the
danger level of 29 meters, the Office of State Flood Control and
Drought Relief Headquarters said.
The office has told related authorities to "make preparations"
and stay alert.
The Huaihe River cuts across China between the Yellow River and
the Yangtze River, running through Henan Province in central China
and east China's Anhui and Jiangsu provinces.
The areas along the river are prone to frequent floods and
droughts.
(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2007)
