The third flood peak of the Huaihe River, the third longest river in China, is pressing on towards Bengbu city, east China's Anhui Province after passing the Zhengyang Pass at 8 p.m. Thursday night with a water level of 22.47 meters, said sources with the Huaihe River Water Resources Commission on Friday.

Heavy rainfall in the Huaihe river system and the mountain areasouth to the Huaihe River from August 13 to 15 resulted in the third flood of the river this year.

The flood rose to a highest water level of 32.70 meters Sunday at Jiangjiaji of the Shihe River, 0.70 meters higher than the warning line. The flood peak arrived at Wangjiaba on Tuesday with a water level of 27.20 meters, 0.70 meters higher than the warningline. It hit the ZhengYang Pass with a peak discharge of 3,730 cubic meters per second Thursday evening.

To guarantee that the flood peak passes successfully, the Anhuiprovincial flood control headquarters has ordered to increase the discharge capacity of the floodgate at Bengbu. Under supervision of headquarters, regions along the Huaihe river are preparing to combat the flood.