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Upper Reaches of Yangtze Maintains Low Water Level
The water level in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, China's longest, has remained unusually low during this year's flood season, which started in July.
The water level in the section of the Yangtze in Chongqing, a municipality in southwest China, has been especially low than in previous years as of this week. However, experts warned that water crests may come in autumn.
Sources from the Chongqing Navigation Route Bureau said that the water level in Chongqing dropped by more than 20 meters from July 20 to August 4, with the lowest water level standing at 166.13 meters.
The sources said that this is the lowest water level in the section since the 1960s, which comes only second to the 163.94 meter level in 1987. But its duration at that level is making a record.
The continuing low level of water has caused trouble for ships traveling on the river. On August 3, a 100-ton light barge was stranded because of shallow water.
Experts attribute the continuous low water level to less rainfall during the flood season, and the fact that low temperatures on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau reduced the source amount of water for the Yangtze since less snow melted.
The low water level in Chongqing is expected to continue for some time, predicted experts.
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