Poyang Lake more than quadruples in 20 days

Nanchang (CNS) -- Owing to continuous heavy rainfall, China's largest freshwater body, Poyang Lake, has expanded from 1.14 to 5.29 billion cubic meters in just 20 days, the hydrology authority of Jiangxi said on Wednesday.

The water level of Poyang Lake rose by 4.32 meters from 8 a.m. on April 11 to the same time on May 2.

Fierce floods have affected more than 200,000 locals, and damaged dwellings and crops, according to the Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Office.

The strongest rainfall of the year hit most cities of Jiangxi between April 28 and May 1. By 5 p.m. on May 1, Jingdezhen, Fuzhou and Yingtan were judged the most seriously affected.

From January to April, the provincial monthly rainfall average amounted to 765 mm, 35 percent more than normal years and the fourth largest ever on record.

Since March the province has been experiencing a wide range of rainstorms for this season of the year. The wet season coming in the next two months is expected to bring yet more rainfall and frequent flooding.