More than 200 vessels with an engine size of less than 270 kW were stranded in waters between the Three Gorges Dam and the Gezhouba Dam due to the torrents created by the largest flood during the current rainy season.

The heaviest flood started on 2 August and the Three Gorges Reservoir has been releasing water to prevent flooding along the banks. The larger-than-expected release of water prevented the small vessels from sailing safely. The Three Gorges Dam Administration of Navigational Affairs contacted the authorities at the Yangtze Anti-flood Headquarters to readjust the intensity of the release for two days to allow the vessels to pass. Between 8am on 22 August and 8am on 24 August, the intensity was duly reduced and all the stranded vessels left the area.