The water level on upper reaches of the Yangtze River, China's longest waterway, has started rising after a rare sharp drop.

The level at the section of southwestern municipality of Chongqing has reached to 0.6 meters by Monday.

Sources with the municipal hydrological department attributed the positive change to the low temperature, less sunshine and increasing rainfall recently.

But the department warned that the current level was still low compared to the average figure and would probably drop again.

The Maritime department has stopped dredging work, which it operated during the low water period to ensure traffic.

The water level of the upper Yangtze had been declining to under ground level since January 31 due to sparse winter rainfall and the setting aside of water for the electricity generation by the newly-built Ertan hydroelectric power plant.

Statistics show that during the week of January 29 to February 5, the Cuntan section experienced a significant 1.02-meter drop in water level, the most drastic in the registered history of the upper Yangtze.

The maritime department asked boats on the river to remain cautious.

(eastday.com March 25, 2003)