Chinese water resources specialists say it is necessary to build a comprehensive flood control network in the Yangtze River Valley instead of relying solely on the Three Gorges Project.

Following Saturday's completion of the mammoth dam, the Three Gorges Project will be put to storage water fully next month, producing its initial benefit in flood control.

Cao Guangjing, deputy general manager of the China Yangtze River Three Gorges Project Development Corporation (CYRTGPDC), said the Three Gorges Project could play a bigger role than the Gezhouba Project did, a smaller hydro-electrical facility downstream the Three Gorges Project, in the flood of 1998 which left 1,526 people dead if a similar flood does occur this year on the mighty Yangtze.

"But China has a weak capability of preventing natural disasters. The Yangtze River has plenty of tributaries, so the Three Gorges Project alone can by no means be able to exempt the entire Yangtze River Valley from its water inflicted woes," said Cao.

It is imperative to make a rational plan regarding construction of specialized flood diversion zones, while reinforcement of the main embankments built along both banks of the Yangtze can not be slackened, he said.

Cao's opinion about establishing a comprehensive flood control network on the Yangtze River Valley was echoed by Lu Youmei, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Lu also suggested more reservoirs be constructed at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and measures be taken to conserve water and soil by well protecting the vegetation there so as to reduce soil erosion.

"Exploring hydro-electric resources on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River can not only solve the shortage of electricity and even transmit extra power to the energy-thirst eastern areas, but also enlarge the capacity of holding back flooded water at the upper reaches of the river and help reduce silting in the Three Gorges Reservoir," said Lu.

Lu reiterated the importance of reinforcing the main embankments along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze, and increasing the capability of floodwater diversion by reverting the farmland to lakes.