NE China river flood prone, water traffic suspended

HARBIN -- The water level of the Songhua River in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province exceeded warning levels on Wednesday, causing local authorities to embargo navigation on the waterway.

The water level at the Harbin hydrometric station in the provincial capital on Wednesday morning rose to 118.4 meters, 0.1 meters above the warning line.

Qunli Bund Park in Harbin was closed on Wednesday. Signs of flood danger were seen at the gate, where guards prohibited all vehicles and personnel from entering. Along the waterfront of the park, some street lamps, benches and park facilities had already been submerged.

The Harbin maritime safety administration has ordered the implementation of water traffic control on the river, suspending all traffic and mining operations.

The Songhua River is the largest tributary of the Heilongjiang River, which flows across China's border into Russia, where it is known as the Amur.