HARBIN - Worst flood in two decades is predicted to hit Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, authorities with the provincial hydrology bureau said Sunday.

Orange alert for severe flood was issued on Saturday night as the water level along the upper reaches of Nenjiang River in the province surpassed the warning level by 0.17 to 1.62 meters.

Due to continuous downpour, the peak level at Tongmeng station of Nenjiang River between 8 am Friday and 8 am Saturday reached 169.8 meters, 0.2 meters higher than the warning level. And the water level in Qiqihar climbed to 147.88 meters, surpassing the warning level by 0.88 meters, according to the authorities.