China rushes to reinforce river banks amid floods

CCTV also aired aerial footage showing large swathes of inundated areas in Hubei province. More than a thousand soldiers have been assigned to build up levees there, it added.

Since the flood season began in June, 33 rivers in China have reached their highest levels in history. As well as the Tai, other major lakes have also come under immense pressure, forcing authorities to declare "red alerts".

At least 141 people have died and millions across southern China have been evacuated as a result of the floods.