Southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday morning raised the emergency response for flood control to Level I, the highest rung in the four-tier emergency response system for floods, according to local authorities. 

It marks the first time the province has launched the highest alert for floods, local media said.  

Floods beating historical records are expected along the Qingyi River, while heavy floods are expected to continue in the lower reaches of the Dadu River and Min River.