Three Gorges water levels ease

Water levels eased from a record high in the reservoir behind China's massive Three Gorges Dam yesterday, but authorities warned they did not know whether the drop would continue.

Premier Wen Jiabao has ordered officials to prepare for "more serious floods and disasters".

Although China experiences heavy rains every northern summer, flooding this year is the worst in more than a decade. More than 1000 people have died or are missing.