Annual event to cross Yellow River delayed due to potential flooding

XINING -- The 15th annual Qinghai International (Summer) Extreme Challenge of Crossing the Yellow River has been postponed due to the growing water volume of the Yellow River, announced local organizing committee.

The event was originally scheduled for June 28 to 30 and the new date is yet to be announced.

According to the notification of the Yellow River Conservancy Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources, the chance of floods is severe and the water volume is unable to be regulated by the hydroplants in the area, which led to the organizers' decision to postpone the event, with concerns for the safety of players and fans.

Qinghai contains the water table of the China's three major rivers: the Yellow River; Yangtze River; and Lancang River. However, due to the continuous rainfall in recent months the water level of the rivers has been a lot higher than usual.

For that, the Yellow River Conservancy Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources has released a blue alert.

The event, which is held in Haidong, northwest China's Qinghai Province, has attracted nearly 290 swimmers from 22 countries and regions, including the United States, Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, France, New Zealand and China.