New wave of flooding hits southwest China

A new wave of flooding on the Yangtze River passed through China's southwestern Chongqing municipality on Wednesday.

The flood is the largest to cross in Chongqing since 1981, according to the aurthorities.

Both Chongqing and the neighbouring Sichuan province declared the highest-level flood control emergency, a first for Sichuan.

Downriver in Hubei province, officials at the Yangtze River Water Resources Commission warned that the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project, would see the largest inflow of water in its 14-year history.

It has been discharging 4,800 cubic meters of water per second since the flooding began, China's state broadcaster CCTV reported.

The swelling river has submerged most of the streets along the river.

About 128,000 people have been moved from low-lying areas to safety in Leshan city, according to CCTV.

Thousands of people were also evacuated in cities of Ya'an, Luzhou and Zigong due to the fast rising river water levels, CCTV said.