China's biggest freshwater lake exceeds warning level

NANCHANG - Part of Poyang Lake, China's largest freshwater lake, has seen its water level exceed the warning level, as flooding on the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River has been pushing up the water level of the lake.

Part of Poyang Lake, China's largest freshwater lake, has seen its water level exceed the warning level on July 28, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

The water level at the lake's Huxingzi Station in Jiangxi province had risen to 19.01 meters as of 8 am Sunday, marking the highest level in the past two years and measuring 0.01 meter above the warning level, said Tan Guoliang, head of the provincial hydrographic bureau.

Affected by flooding on the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River, the water level of the Jiujiang section of the Yangtze River in Jiangxi province rose to 19.54 meters at 8 am Sunday, over one meter higher than that half a month before, and the water level was continuing to rise, Tan said.

Affected by the rise of the Yangtze River and the rainfall that has increased runoff from local rivers in Jiangxi, the water level of Poyang Lake, located on the southern bank of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze, has been continuously rising.

The provincial flood control and draught relief headquarters have tightened up monitoring efforts on the lake shore and are preparing emergency rescue measures to ensure people's safety.