Severe rain continued to drench central and southern China Friday, with Hubei Province one of the worst hit areas. Authorities started the secondary level emergency response for the first time in five years.

In this round of heavy rain, the precipitation in many cities in Hubei has reached record highs. More than 1,700 reservoirs are above flood control water level. The rainfall caused waterlogging and seriously disrupted traffic since Friday, as many lakes in Wuhan cannot contain the additional rainwater.

In the city proper, traffic was cut off on 45 roads. Rainfall inundated several districts, causing power outages that affected 19,000 users. All ferry services were suspended.

In this round of heavy rain, the precipitation in many cities in Hubei has reached record highs. More than 1,700 reservoirs are above flood control water level.

Meanwhile, relentless rain swelled several rivers, breaching levees in a number of spots. 23 villages along Ju Shui River has been flooded. The Xiang Gu Dun Reservoir in Ma Cheng city was in danger at one point, endangering more than 70,000 residents in 30 villages along the river. The reservoir is also close to the HAN-RONG high speed railway and 106 national highway.

Rescuers responded quickly, blasting the cement causing the blockage. The river level has since lowered by one meter. But according to the Wuhan meteorological authority, central and eastern parts in Hubei province will continue to see rainstorms over the next day or two.