The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River have been affected by heavy rains since the start of this week and wet weather is expected to continue in the coming days.

On 24 June, rains caused significant damage in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. Yu Chao, spokesman for the city’s flood prevention and drought relief headquarters, said it was the most severe rainfall Hangzhou had experienced in recent years.

The following day, the rains then shifted to neighbouring Jiangsu province, affecting the Yangtze port cities of Nanjing, Yangzhou, Zhenjiang and Nantong. A red alert — the highest for heavy rain — was issued in Nanjing and Yangzhou.