Heavy rains have caused water levels in several rivers to rise, prompting the country's flood control authority to initiate a level-four emergency response to cope with possible flooding.

Ten rivers in Sichuan, Chongqing and Shaanxi are flowing at dangerously high levels, according to a statement posted Thursday on the website of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

The nation's weather forecast station said torrential rains will lash parts of Sichuan Basin, northwest China and north China over the next three days.

The headquarters asked local governments to strengthen inspections of reservoirs and dikes to prevent breaches, according to the statement.

Local governments are also required to shore up defenses against floods, issue warnings in a timely manner and take all measures to ensure people's safety, the statement said.

The headquarters has also dispatched working groups to Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi, Jiangsu and Anhui to help coordinate flood relief efforts.

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