Severe flooding, triggered by heavy rains, is affecting over 6 million people in eastern China's Jiangxi Province. The floods have caused economic losses of around 11 billion yuan, or roughly 1.6 billion U.S. dollars.

Recent downpours have waterlogged a town called Maying, meaning "horse shadow" in English, located between the Yangtze River and China's largest freshwater lake, Poyang Lake.

"The water is at waist level in my shop. Out there, it could be up to my neck. And the flooding may get worse," said a resident surnamed Wang, in waterproof bibs, carrying a life ring around his shoulder, who was checking his electric motorcycle shop.

Electricity and water are suspended after the flooding. Wang's shop was closed due to safety concerns and his family moved to an apartment on the other side of the town.

To help residents travel more easily, and most importantly – to keep them safe and dry – the Maying authorities decided to build a bridge. Workers built the 300-meter temporary bridge along the town's busiest main street in just one night, when the town was hit hard by heavy rains a week ago, so residents no longer have to wade through water on their way home.

"The government has done a great job, otherwise there's no way for us to cross this street," said Ms Wu, a local resident.

Aside from the bridge, Maying officials have taken other measures to ensure the safety of inhabitants. The town has evacuated more than 250 people to higher ground since July 7.

"The continuous rain caused water to surge above danger levels, and resulted in serious waterlogging. Nineteen households, some 45 people in all, have been relocated to designated sites," Zheng Hua, Party branch secretary of Maying Bridge Community, the hardest hit region of Maying, told CGTN.

Although a shelter might not be as comfortable as home, it's a place with warm meals and dry beds, where evacuees can rest without worrying.

"The arrangement is very good. We're provided with rice, oil and water. We're in good hands here," said Ke Huohua, an evacuee from the community.

There are thirteen villages under Maying's jurisdiction. Daoqiao is one of the worst hit villages with 900 mu, or around 6,000 acres of crops affected.

"The flood has destroyed 600 mu of crops. We've relocated two families, four people in all, and have been visiting poverty-stricken families door-to-door," said Wang Xianyun, the village's Party branch secretary.

The flooding has caused economic damage to farmers in the village. Some had just planted rice seedlings in May, but after the water flushed their crops, their efforts and this year's yields are likely going in vain.

"Four of my rice fields were flooded, as well as the fishpond, which had thousands of hatchings. I've lost about 10,000 yuan," said Zhou Yongzhi, a farmer of Daoqiao village, who takes care of 6 grandchildren with his wife. Their sons left the village years ago to work in big cities such as Shanghai.

Despite their losses, the couple seemed light-hearted and said there was no use crying over a natural disaster that man cannot beat.