An evacuation order directed residents in most of the old town and parts of the new urban district to move to higher-ground shelters by 9:00 am.

"The rain has stopped now, but the floodwaters are still quite high and expected to rise," resident Wu Hanjun told China Daily at 3:30 pm.

Aerial footage captured at midday on Tuesday shows some areas of the city underwater, and multiple social-media videos reveal that the famous Village Super League football field has also been inundated.

The People's Armed Police Force nearby has arrived with life jackets and assault boats to carry out disaster relief.