A fresh round of torrential rain hit Huangshan City of east China's Anhui Province on Thursday, raising water levels again and waterlogging some villages along the rivers.
The persistent downpours that began on June 20 raised the water level of Xin'anjiang River section in Shexian County by about eight to nine meters.
In Miantan Village, local people said that the water has risen and receded three times since the first round of heavy rains. After Thursday's precipitation, the floodwater reached nearly half the height of the nine-meter-high street lamp posts, and almost submerged the doorframes of houses, but was still below the water line left behind on June 20 when the heaviest rainfall was recorded.
Fearing that their boats would be swept away by the flooding river, the residents towed their ships into village and anchored them. The height at which the boats were moored was already almost level with the roof of the first floor.
According to local meteorological authorities, the average rainfall in Huangshan City over the past nine days exceeded 580 millimeters, equivalent to the water storage capacity of 200 West Lakes.
The violent floodwaters inundated many mountain roads, cutting off the only access to some villages. Local officials can only use boats to deliver daily supplies to the unrelocated residents to ensure their livelihood.
All 28 townships in Shexian County have been hit by flood, with 250,000 people affected. Many residents who might have been affected by heavy rains and rising water levels have been relocated in advance, with more than 58,000 residents being moved to safe places so far
Persistent downpours trigger flooding alert in east China city
