Water level in swollen Huaihe River rises again

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-07-23 13:30

HEFEI -- The water level at Wangjiaba, a key hydrological station in the middle reaches of the swollen Huaihe River, was rising again, while officials warned that the river faced severe flood-control challenge.

The water level started to rise from 27.62 meters at 6 p.m. Sunday, after five days of decrease since last flood crest passed through the Wangjiaba section. It was 27.64 meters at 9 a.m. Monday, above the danger line of 27.5 meters.

Hydrological experts with the Huaihe water resources commission said the water level at Wangjiaba would not exceed 28.1 meters in the coming two days. It would not keep rising for long as rains in the upper reaches of Huaihe River were not heavy.

The experts said the rise of water level since Sunday was caused by the influx for Hongru River and that people in the upper reaches were draining flooded fields.

Dikes along Huaihe River, China's third longest, were at an increased risk of breach in the near future, since they have soaked in high water level for three weeks.

Authorities in east China's Anhui Province have found 517 places in the dikes in dangerous condition by 3:00 p.m. Friday, up from 502 places by Thursday. All the places were repaired in time.



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