China issued a flood warning on Tuesday as the water level in the lower reaches of the Huaihe River, one of China's major rivers, is expected to surpass the critical mark within two days.

Recent rainstorms in the upper reaches have raised the water level from 20.51 meters on 30 June to 27.51 meters on Tuesday, one centimeter higher than the warning level, according to Wangjiaba Hydrometric Station in east China's Anhui Province.

According to weather forecasts, there will be 75 millimeters of rain in the upper reaches over the next two days, which will lift the water level above 28 meters, only one meter lower than the danger level of 29 meters, the Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said.

The office has told related authorities to "make preparations" and stay alert.

The Huaihe River cuts across China between the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, running through Henan Province in central China and east China's Anhui and Jiangsu provinces.

The areas along the river are prone to frequent floods and droughts.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2007)