The Yangtze Maritime Safety Authorities said that the emergency measure to lighten cargo vessels at Yichang during the six-month dry season has ended. The onset of the flood season has now begun, with the water level immediately downstream of the Three Gorges Dam rising to 3.8 metres in early May. This allows 3,000dwt vessels to pass the middle reaches safely.

From 12 May, the Yangtze MSA had withdrawn all but two of the 10 two floating crane vessels deployed to help with the lightening operation. For nearly seven months, the severe drought forced many vessels, including 1,924 coal-carrying vessels, to unload part of their cargo in Yichang to avoid being stranded in the shallow waters.