In east China, abnormally high water levels have forced approximately 8000 ships to a standstill on an important trading waterway. The river is a vital transport route between cities in the eastern coastal province of Zhejiang and Shanghai, one of the largest ports in the world.

The waiting boats and freighters now form a line 40 kilometres long on the river, which has been closed to traffic for almost two weeks because the water level is so high that the vessels cannot pass under many of the bridges spanning it.

The highest water level in ten years has been caused by Typhoon Morakot, which raged through the country almost a week ago. The waterway will only be opened when the water level sinks enough for the vessels to pass under the bridges.

Map showing Zhejiang province from Wikimedia Commons