NANJING - The water resources department of East China's Jiangsu province raised its flood alert level to the highest of red for the Nanjing section of the Yangtze River at 9 am Saturday after a record-high water level was seen in the section.

As of 7:50 am Saturday, the water level at the Nanjing hydrological station in the provincial capital rose to 10.26 meters, exceeding the previous highest level of 10.22 meters, which was recorded in 1954.

The department said high water levels and mass flows of the river will maintain for a long period of time, with the flood control situation grim.