Alarming water levels have been reported after continuous rains in east, central and south China. The country's flood control authorities say the water levels of main streams in the south are higher than previous years. Some even surpass 1998 - a year of disastrous floods. Thirteen rivers have seen their warning lines submerged as of noon Saturday.

However, authorities report that in other major rivers, the water levels remain below the warning line, though that could be subject to change with continuous rainfall. No major floods have been reported so far. Meanwhile, multiple work teams have been mobilized in 9 provinces in the South for flood prevention.