BEIJING — China on Aug 7 lowered its flood-control response posture from Level III to Level IV, the lowest level of its four-tier emergency-response system for floods.

The downgrading came as water levels in the Yangtze River, Huaihe River, and Taihu Lake continued to fall, said the Ministry of Emergency Management.

The ministry urged related localities to continue to keep a close eye on the situation and strengthen the prevention of possible disasters.

All-out efforts should be made to help affected residents restore life and coordinate re-construction work, said an official with the ministry.