The largest flood crest of the Yangtze River this year was passing through Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province in central China, on Tuesday, with a flood level of26.82 meters at 8:00 p.m., about 0.48 meters below the alert line.

According to the hydrological administration under the Yangtze River water conservancy committee, water levels at various hydrological stations are still above the alert lines.

The hydrological administration also warned people along the Wuhan section to remain vigilant against flooding even after the crest had passed, because the water level would stay high for a certain period and any possible strong rainfall would raise the water level again.

At 7:00 p.m. when the crest was near, many people were still chatting or fishing on the banks of Wuhan port, though the water level in the Yangtze River was almost as high as the avenues along the river.

One of them, a retired worker surnamed Zhang, said, "the banks have been strengthened after the flood in 1998 and we feel safe at heart."

(People's Daily July 16, 2003)