The water level of Dongting Lake in central China, had risen to 31.94 meters at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, close to the 32-meter flood warning mark, according to the Hunan flood control and drought relief headquarters.

Dongting Lake in Hunan Province, on the flood-prone Yangtze River and acting as a buffer for the river, is expected to rise as more rain falls over the next few days.

It is predicted that on Sunday, the water level could reach 32.35 meters, by next Tuesday it could exceed 33.2 meters, and by next Thursday it could rise to 33.5 meters. Therefore, emergency services in the province have been put on high alert again.

Zhang Yunchuan, governor of Hunan, stressed on Saturday at an emergency meeting that officials at all levels in the province should take effective measures to ensure all flood control facilities are ready to be put into action.

(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2002)