Water levels in the southern U.S. Mississippi River have continued to rise, despite authorities opening a spillway in Louisiana to avoid flooding of major cities.

Sacks are piled along the bank of the Mississippi River in the Louisiana State capital Baton Rouge, the United States, May 18, 2011. Water levels in the southern U.S. Mississippi River have continued to rise, despite authorities opening a spillway in Louisiana to avoid flooding of major cities. (Xinhua/Chen Yu)

Sacks are piled along the bank of the Mississippi River in the Louisiana State capital Baton Rouge, the United States, May 18, 2011.  (Xinhua/Chen Yu)

A house is submerged in the flood in a small town of the flood-drain area in Louisiana, the United States, May 18, 2011.  (Xinhua/Chen Yu)

A house is submerged in the flood in a small town of the flood-drain area in Louisiana, the United States, May 18, 2011. (Xinhua/Chen Yu)

A house is shrouded by waterproof material in a small town of the flood-drain area in Louisiana, the United States, May 18, 2011. (Xinhua/Chen Yu)

A house is shrouded by waterproof material in a small town of the flood-drain area in Louisiana, the United States, May 18, 2011.  (Xinhua/Chen Yu)

A soldier stands guard on a road leading to a small town of the flood-drain area in Louisiana, the United States, May 18, 2011.  (Xinhua/Chen Yu)

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet