Xiaolangdi Reservoir, a major water conservancy and irrigation facility on the Yellow River, started to discharge floodwater at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, according to sources from the flood and drought prevention headquarters of the Yellow River.

The reservoir stored an additional 2.11 billion cubic meters of water in a matter of ten days from Aug. 25 to Sept. 5 when the middle reaches of the Yellow River flooded owing to continuous, excessive rainfall, said Zhang Jinliang, deputy director with the headquarters.

The water level in the reservoir hit 246 meters by 8:00 a.m. Saturday, nearly reaching the alarm level of 248 meters.

If the reservoir did not promptly discharge the water, the level was likely to hit 248 meters on Sept. 8, said Zhang, adding that the effective measure was taken for the safety of the whole irrigation project.

(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2003)