More than 70,000 people in the region were on standby for rescue and disaster relief efforts along the frozen 720-kilometre stretch of China’s second longest river, Reuters said.
"The People’s Liberation Army’s air force and artillery troops have also joined the flood prevention operation," Xinhua news agency said. "Blasting will be carried out if there are any big ice blockages on the river."
"Low-quality dams in certain sections have worsened the situation," the report added.
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