The water level of the flood in the main stream of east China's Huaihe River ebbed below the warning line on Monday, said a source with the State Flood Control and Disaster Relief Headquarters (SFCDRH).

As of 6:00 AM, the water levels of the major hydrometric stations on the river were all reported to be below the warning line, except the Runheji Hydrology Station and Zhengyangguan Hydrology Station, with water levels 0.72 meters and 0.06 meters above the warning line respectively.

The Huaihe River cuts across China between the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, running through Henan Province in central China, and east China's Anhui and Jiangsu provinces. The areas along the river are prone to frequent floods and droughts.

The China Meteorological Administration said the rainfall belt will leave Huaihe River for the central and southern parts of north China in the next two days.

(Xinhua News Agency July 19, 2005)