A street is submerged Thursday in floodwater on part of Shamian Island, a famous tourist area in Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong province. The flooding came after the Pearl River breached its banks due to torrential rain. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin

The Pearl River exceeded its warning level by about 1 meter Thursday, with water flowing into many streets in Guangzhou’s central urban area along the river. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin

Workers open a manhole cover to drain water inundating Shamian Island. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin

Residents take photos on a waterlogged street on Shamian Island. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin

A man sleeps on a bench on a flooded street on Shamian Island. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin

A woman walks through a flooded street. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin

Residents wade through a flooded street. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin

Residents watch workers set up floodwater prevention facilities on a street. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin

Water gushes into the underground parking lot of the White Swan Hotel. The hotel’s water-bus service was suspended Thursday due to the flood. Photo: VCG

Floodwater submerges the bank of the Pearl River on Thursday. Photo: VCG