The Yangtze Marine Safety Authorities have announced a night sailing ban on vessels of 300 dwt and below in the Huangshi section of the Yangtze River, about 150km downstream of Wuhan. The move was taken due to the swift currents and higher than usual water levels being experienced.

The current flood season has raised the water level in this particular section to 13.57 metres, nearly two metres higher than at the same period last year. The rapid currents are deemed too strong for the safe sailing of smaller vessels at night, according to MSA officials. It is not clear how long the ban will remain.

Officials have strengthened river patrols and are issuing more frequent warnings about tides and extreme weather conditions to ensure safety.

Water levels in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze have continued to rise as a result of heavy rain storms in recent days. For example in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, the water has reached a dangerous level. By contrast, two dry days in the Boyang Lake and Dongting Lake areas have led to water levels here dropping below danger level. Boyang and Donting are China’s largest freshwater lakes and the major Yangtze tributaries in the region.