A photo taken on April 13, 2016 shows garbage floating on the surface of the water reserve at the upstream of the Lechangxia Dam. [Xinhua]

Ten days after a cleaning effort began, some parts of Guangdong's Lechangxia Water Reserve has finally begun to see the light.

In recent months, torrential rains have flushed garbage and dead trees to the Lechangxia Dam, covering the water surface with a layer of garbage sometimes reaching one meter in thickness.

The garbage has posed a great threat to lower stream residents. In addition to polluting the water body and damaging the ecosystem nearby, the garbage has also increased the danger of a flood.

The lower stream region of the dam is scattered with densely populated cities, including Lechang and Shaoguan. Floods can create unimaginable losses for these communities.

The Lechangxia water project was completed in 2013, as a key point for upstream flood control. In recent years, however, the dam has been plagued by garbage problems.