Luzhou is suffering its worst drought in 100 years, according to the Yangtze River Waterway Bureau. Several 100 teu vessels were unable to enter Luzhou Container Port and became stranded in nearby Chongqing. Six weekly services from Luzhou have been cancelled. If the drought continues, officials warn there is a real danger that shipping in the upper reaches could come to a halt.

Sichuan provincial government has ordered the emergency release of water from the Ertan hydropower station upstream. The water level has increased slightly as a result, but shipping conditions remain extremely poor.