Abstract: By using the precipitation data of 125 stations in the Changjiang River basin, the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics and climatological statistic characteristics of precipitation in the summer of 1998 are analyzed. Comparison is conducted with the previous data for the same period, especially with the data of deluge years such as 1931 and 1954. The results show that the precipitation process in the summer of 1998 includes four stages. The distribution pattern of total precipitation appeared to be an asymmetry saddle. The abnormally frequent and concentrated severe precipitation in the upper, middle and lower reaches is the most important cause of the continued high water level and catastrophic deluge of the Changjiang River.