WUHAN -- Sections of the Yangtze River, China's longest waterway, are swelling above flood warning levels in its middle and lower reaches amid continuous heavy rains.

Water at several hydrological stations of the Yangtze River, including those in Lianhuatang, Jianli, Jiujiang, and Nanjing, all rose above warning levels Monday.

As rain continues, the river water levels are expected to rise further, up to one meter above the warning levels, in the coming days.

From Monday to Thursday, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are forecast to be lashed by rainstorms, with precipitation expected to be between 100 mm and 200 mm.

The Yangtze River water resources commission on Monday continued to issue a yellow alert for flooding.

The eastern Chinese province of Anhui Monday upgraded its flooding response level from the fourth to the third level, with waters in the Yangtze River as well as many smaller rivers and lakes swelling above warning levels.

Local flood control authorities have ordered beefing up monitoring of floods, and evacuating residents who could be affected, to avoid injuries and deaths.