An all-out rescue and relief operation was underway after a dike breach in Dongting Lake in central China's Hunan Province on Friday afternoon.
A dike of the lake burst at 17:48 Friday following failed emergency repair efforts in Tuanzhou Township of Hunan's Yueyang City, causing flooding in the area.
The breach was about 10 meters wide on Friday afternoon, but has expanded to 226 meters as of 11:00 meters on Saturday with a water level difference at 0.1 meters.
Over 5,700 residents of the affected area have been evacuated to safety, and no casualties have been reported, according to the local flood control department.
About 55,600 tons of rocks have been urgently transferred from Huarong's surrounding counties and cities to block the gap.
More than 2,300 rescuers and over 160 speedboats have been dispatched to carry out the rescue operation. Sand, rock blocks and other flood prevention materials are being transported to the scene.
Plastic sheets have been laid for 10 kilometers to reinforce a dam that separates Tuanzhou from nearby townships. Personnel were also deployed to conduct 24-hour patrol.
Also on Saturday, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management allocated 540 million yuan (about 74 U.S. dollars) of funds to support Hunan and other provincial-level regions in disaster relief work related to floods, geological disasters and forest fires.
Dongting is China's second-largest freshwater lake. The affected area near Tuanbei Village covers about 50 square km. This area experienced a dike breach back in 1996.
Since June 16, Hunan has suffered the strongest rainfall this year, which has broken local historical records in some regions.
All-out rescue, relief work underway after dike breach in central China
