World

Severe Flooding Hits Central China

Floods caused by severe storms have hit China's central Hubei province on Tuesday, state media reported.

Massive torrential rainstorms in recent days have prompted authorities across Hubei to declare a total of seven red storm alerts beginning on Monday, State Broadcaster CCTV said. Red is the most severe of the national storm alert's four-tier system, with blue being the lowest. Footage carried by CCTV showed pedestrians and cars attempting to cross flooded roads of Chongyang County on Monday. CCTV also showed footage of local rescuers helping a stranded taxi driver cross a heavily flooded river.

The summer often brings severe weather to China. Floods in the south have already killed over 20 people this year. Last Thursday a deadly tornado struck eastern Jiangsu province, killing at least 98 and injuring hundreds