The four water diversion areas of the Huaihe River, one of China's major rivers, are Qiujiahu, Nanrunduan, Tangduohu in Yinshang County and Jiangjiahu in Huoqiu County.

More than 100,000 people live in the 200,000-mu (13,000 hectares) diversion areas, but most live in the safe zones situated higher.

Though the opening of sluice gates at the Wangjiaba dam has eased the level in the Huaihe River, the continuous rainfall in the upper reaches kept the water level above the safety line, according to the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters.

As of 6 pm Thursday, the water level at the Wangjiaba Hydrologic Station was at 29.18 meters and at 8 pm, a nearby hydrological station recorded a level of 26.64 meters, 1.04 meters higher than the safety line.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2003)