Songhua River in northeast China sees first flood this year

HARBIN, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Songhua River, the largest tributary of Heilongjiang River (known as the Amur in Russia) in northeast China, saw its first flood this year Monday morning, local authorities said.

Due to recent heavy rainfall, floods exceeding alarms formed in the middle reaches of the river, with the water level at Jiamusi hydrometric station reaching 79.05 meters, according to the water resources department of Heilongjiang Province.

As of 8 a.m. Saturday, a total of 30 hydrometric stations along rivers in Heilongjiang had reported water exceeding alarm levels.

The province has dispatched relief materials to the flood-fighting front line, evacuated people in affected areas and halted production of more than 100 mines.