The breach at Dongting Lake on Saturday in Huarong county, Yueyang, Central China’s Hunan province. Photo: VCG

Nearby houses are nearly submerged by the floodwater. Photo: IC Photo

The breach was initially about 10 meters wide but expanded to 220 meters on Saturday. As of 6 a.m. Monday, it had been reduced to about 97 meters and is expected to be sealed by noon Tuesday. Photo: Yang Huafeng/China News Service, IC Photo

Trucks loaded with rocks on both sides of the river pour rocks into the water on Sunday. Photo: IC Photo

Firefighters clear debris on Sunday. Photo: Yang Huafeng/China News Service, VCG

Hydrological personnel in Hunan Province use an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a thermal infrared camera to monitor the water flow velocity at the breach early Saturday morning. Photo: Yang Huafeng/China News Service, VCG

Rescuers from Blue Sky Rescue in Shuangfeng county, Loudi, Hunan, rescue trapped villagers on Saturday. Photo: VCG

Rescuers searched for trapped locals in the early morning of Saturday. Photo: Yang Huafeng/China News Service, IC Photo

Around 180 workers from China Anneng Construction Group Co. Ltd. work through the night to seal the dike on Saturday. Photo: VCG