Holy waters: Leshan Giant Buddha surrounded as major floods hit China

The Leshan Giant Buddha was surrounded by floodwaters following heavy rains in Leshan in China’s south-west Sichuan province. Continuous rainfall has engulfed streets and displaced residents, with soldiers evacuating tens of thousands of people from rising floods. At one point water reached the toes of the 223fttall statue for the first time in at least 70 years. Elsewhere five people were missing in Yunnan

province in the south-west after a landslide destroyed two houses, the official People’s Daily newspaper said. Flooding has left more than 200 people dead or missing in China this year.