In pictures: Three Gorges waters rise

1 of 9 Water levels on the Yangtze River have been rising since the sluice gates of the Three Gorges Dam closed on 1 June

2 of 9 Natural and cultural heritage sites, villages, towns and even cities are gradually being submerged

3 of 9 More than 600,000 people have been forcibly relocated

4 of 9 The old town of Fengjie was completely evacuated to a new site, which has yet to be completely finished

5 of 9 Buildings in the old town are being demolished to prevent hazards to shipping

6 of 9 Locals are trying to save as much of this year's harvest as possible

7 of 9 But for some, it is already too late

8 of 9 China hopes the dam will stop the catastrophic flooding of the Yangtze, as well as providing much needed electricity

9 of 9 But critics warn of environmental disaster, as well as the loss of more than 30 important cultural sites