Heavy rainfall in the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze is causing a rapid rise of water levels in the trunk line and its tributaries, according to Xinhua. The Administration of the Three Gorges Dam is doubling its rate of water release to 20,000 cubic metres per second to tackle the dramatic increase, despite an existing plan to raise the water level to 175 metres by early November.

The reservoir experienced an incoming volume of 30,000 cubic metres per second on 19 September and 40,000 cubic metres per second the following day. Experts predicted that by end of 21 September, the water level in the reservoir would rise to 166 metres, at least 10 days ahead of schedule.

According to the 2011 Three Gorges Dam Water Storing Plan approved by the State Council, the storing cycle started on 10 September at a level of 152 metres. The water level is scheduled to reach 158-161 metres by the end of September and to its maximum level of 175 metres by the end of October or early November. The releasing of more water than planned is designed to prevent the water level in the reservoir from rising too quickly, which may result in an unexpected impact on the river banks and shipping channels.

In the meantime, Poyang Lake, a major Yangtze tributary and China’s largest freshwater lake, is suffering from a drought. Its water level is declining by 0.1-0.2 metres every day and on 15 September, cracks appeared in the lake bed.