A dike breach in Dongting Lake in Huarong County, central China's Hunan Province, occurred at 5:48 p.m. following failed emergency repair efforts on Friday.

As of 10 p.m. on Friday, the width of the breach was about 8 meters and the length was about 150 meters. Up till now, 5,755 residents of the affected area have been safely relocated and no one was injured, according to the local flood control department. 

A large amount of lake water has overflowed from the gap with a fast flow rate, according to the government of Tuanzhou Township, Huarong County under Yueyang City. The affected area near Tuanbei Village of the township covers about 50 square kilometers. This area experienced a dike breach back in 1996. 

Sand carrier ships have been dispatched to the scene for the rescue operation. Trucks were also deployed to fill the gap. To accommodate the relocated residents, local governments have allocated 1,000 tents, 3,200 folding beds, 3,200 summer cooling mats and 3,200 mattresses.

Dongting Lake is China's second-largest freshwater lake. Since June 16, Hunan has suffered the strongest rainfall this year, which has broken local historical records in some regions. 

(Cover image via CFP)