The Yangtze Maritime Safety Authority has issued warnings of severe drought in the Chongqing area of the Yangtze. It says that the water level in Chongqing’s Yangjiaotan section fell by 8.32 metres since 1 January to 161.1 metres on 1 March. It now stands nearly five metres lower than at the same time last year.

This fall in water level has been caused by the continued drought in southwestern China, exacerbated by the water-releasing cycle of the Three Gorges Dam that began in February to alleviate the water shortage in the middle reaches immediately downstream of the dam. Consequently, maritime officials warn that the width of the shipping channel has narrowed and that currents are faster than before, creating new hazards for passing vessels.

The Yangtze MSA has initiated a number of measures to combat the impact of the dry season, which it believes has arrived one month earlier this year than normal. Measures include texting messages about changing water levels, creating new lightening bases and co-ordinating with all the maritime safety authorities along the upper reaches.

The Yangtze MSA also says that the water level is continuing to fall and that vessels must limit their draught to 2.4 metres, except those carrying dangerous goods that require a draught of no more than 2.3 metres.