China's flood control authority, the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, on Thursday launched a level IV emergency response, as floods hit parts of northwest China's Qinghai Province.

A serious flood hit the Golmud River basin in Qinghai, due to recent rainstorms and melting snow, said a statement on the office's website.

Wenquan Reservoir, a large reservoir filled by a tributary of the Golmud River, reported a dangerously high water level only about 3.02 meters from the dam's top at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, said the report.

But the water had stopped rising at rapid rate and no other dangers were found except for some small leaks in the embankment, said the statement.

The Office has dispatched a task force to the reservoir, as well as teams from Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality to fight the flood, said the statement.

The Office also stressed the need for flood relief efforts along the Yangtze River as strong rains are expected to hit the area in coming days.

Under a level IV emergency response, monitoring of emergencies will be stepped up and reported to the State Council.

At least 12 people are dead and three missing after torrential rains triggered flash floods have engulfed villages in Qinghai, local officials said Wednesday.