China: Deadly flooding in Henan — in pictures

China's central Henan province has been hit by the heaviest rains since records began over 60 years ago. In fact, forecasters say it was is the kind of rain only seen "once in 100 years." From Saturday to Tuesday, 617.1 mm (24.3 inches) of rain fell in the provincial capital Zhengzhou. The average for a whole year is 640.8 mm.

At least 25 people have died in the flooding, and another seven were reported missing. Officials feared more bodies would be found as the government upgraded its flood emergency response from level III to level II. More than 1 million people were affected in the surrounding province of Henan.

Nearly 200,000 residents were evacuated in Zhengzhou, and some 10,000 residents in the province were relocated to shelters. The military sent 5,700 soldiers for the rescue and clean-up operations, and 1,800 firefighters were also dispatched, according to Chinese media reports. 

Transport and work have been disrupted throughout Henan. Rain turned streets into rapidly flowing rivers, washing away cars and rising into people's homes. High-speed trains were suspended. Subway passengers reported tunnels being flooded and water almost reaching their necks.

The Chinese military tore down a dam to release floodwaters threatening Henan. China said troops had "successfully opened a new flood diversion opening" and averted the collapse of the Yihetan dam, around an hour from Zhengzhou city. The rainfall had caused a 20-meter breach in the dam. 

Henan province is home to several cultural sites. Fearing damage, officials shut down the famed Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, known for its monks' martial arts mastery. The Longmen Grottoes — a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring thousand-year-old Buddhist carvings in limestone cliffs — was also forced to close. 

Residents tried to keep at least partially dry, holding umbrellas as they wade through the floodwaters. With road and rail links out of action, many were forced to take journeys by foot.

This picture, which shows rescue workers evacuating residents in a trailer along a flooded road, gives some idea of the extent of the flooding in Zhengzhou, a city of some 12 million people. It's the endless city sprawl that is putting pressure on drainage.

Questions are turning to how China's growing cities could be better prepared for freak weather events like the Tuesday storm. It's expected that they will happen with increased frequency and intensity due to climate change.