No. 5, the largest flood hits the Three Gorges Dam since its construction

At 8 am on the 20th, the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River ushered in its largest flood since its construction in 2003, with an inflow rate of 75,000 cubic meters per second and a discharge rate of 49,200 cubic meters per second. This was also the largest flood record in the Yangtze River since 1981. The water level of the dam rose from 161.95 meters to 162.12 meters within one hour, with the water level continuing to rise. As of August 21 at 11am， the real-time data water level of the Three Gorges Dam reached 167.43 meters, exceeding the highest water level record of 163.11 meters for flood regulation since the construction of the reservoir. To face the flood peak, the Three Gorges Dam opened 11 flood discharge gates on the 19th. The discharge flow at that time was 49,400 cubic meters per second, which was the largest water discharge since the construction of the reservoir. It is estimated that this inflow rate will be maintained for 5 days. The authorities admitted that the rapid flood discharge of the dam has put a certain degree of pressure on flood control in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. After the fifth flood peak of the Yangtze River passed through the downtown area of Chongqing on the 19th, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council appeared in Chongqing on the 20th to inspection the area.