Heavy rains across southern China are pushing water levels at the Three Gorges Dam beyond the flood level limit. Sluice gates have been opened to discharge flood water.

Water levels in the upper reaches of the Yangtze river have been rising at speeds approaching 55 thousand cubic meters per second. Last night, the water level in the Three Gorges Dam rose to over 150 meters, 5 meters higher than the maximum flood level limit. It's expected that the flood speed will peak at 56,000 cubic meters per second today.

Sluice gates have been opened to discharge flood water.

The Gezhou Dam's No.1 navigation lock is halting some shipping services due to the forecast floods. Some travel has been restricted between the Gezhou Dam and the Three Gorges Dam. Flood prevention measures have been taken by the local government and all relevant departments are on alert.

On Friday, China's Ministry of Finance said the country has allocated 340 million yuan for regions affected by floods and drought. The fund, allocated by the MOF and the Ministry of Water Resources, will be spent on repairing flood-damaged water conservancy facilities in Jiangxi province, supporting flood control in southern provinces and helping drought relief in Henan province.

Recent floods triggered by strong downpours have affected many parts of China. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has dispatched working groups to Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi, Jiangsu and Anhui to help coordinate flood relief efforts.