Muddy rivers in southwest China burst their banks.<br/> <br />Recent torrential rains in the region have flooded homes and forced tens of thousands to flee to higher ground.<br/> <br />State television also reported thousands more are stranded in Chongqing, prompting emergency crews to organize rescues.<br/> <br />Around 220 millimetres of rain fell in just 30 hours in the municipality, breaking a 1958 record.<br/> <br />The wet weather that swept in on Thursday also triggered landslides that have destroyed 8,500 homes, flooded roads and cut off power and water.<br/> <br />Meteorologists warn the rain will continue to batter the region through Monday.
