BEIJING — China's Ministry of Water Resources on Aug 25 downgraded the emergency response for flood control from Level III to Level IV as the situation eases.

The water level at Northeast China's Harbin hydrologic station on the mainstream of the Songhua River has retreated below the alarming level, the ministry said.

It urged local authorities to continue forecasting rainfall and patrolling levees to ensure safety.

China has a four-tier flood-control emergency response system, with level I being the most severe.