(XINHUA)

Ships navigate in the Xiling Gorge of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River on May 3.

Since May 2, the Three Gorges Reservoir has increased its water replenishment to the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The reservoir's water level will be lowered to 145 meters, around flood control level. It is estimated that more than 22 billion cubic meters of water will be discharged from the reservoir to prepare for the coming flood season.