(Yicai Global) July 15 -- South China has endured a rare ultra-long flood season since June. On July 12, the water levels of Poyang, China’s largest freshwater lake, which lies in southeastern Jiangxi province in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, topped the historic highwater mark set in 1998.

Many helpers, including detachments from the People’s Liberation Army, People’s Armed Police, and residents who include so-called Auntie Detachments formed of local women, rushed to the frontline to render flood disaster relief.

PLA officers and soldiers heap sandbags to form a dyke along Poyang Lake.

An Auntie Detachment helps armed police erect a levee on July 13.

Yu Fengying, captain of the  Auntie Detachment, doles out green bean soup to troops on July 11.

Locals cut off for several days ferry emergency supplies in plastic dinghies on July 12.

A three-story building in Poyang county lies toppled in the floodwaters that washed away its foundation.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Ben Armour