 in additional aid, and a hands-on approach by officials such as Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing. Tragically, the disaster has claimed over 30 lives, including four municipal officials, affecting over 2.2 million people.){kind=link}
The northeastern provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang in China have been devastated by recent floods caused by former super typhoon Doksuri. The Chinese central government has deployed thousands of military and paramilitary personnel to fortify flood defenses, evacuate residents, and help in recovery efforts. An additional 350 million yuan (US$49 million) has been earmarked to assist in the flood-hit areas.
Military and Paramilitary Involvement
China’s response to the disaster has been swift, with the People’s Liberation Army and the People’s Armed Police being actively involved in rescue and relief operations. They’ve been putting sandbags along rivers, repairing roads, and distributing supplies in the affected provinces. The operations have led to the evacuation of around 3,000 civilians, with more than 2,050 troops and over 5,000 PAP personnel engaged in the efforts.
Communist Party’s Role
State media have underscored the Communist Party’s role in directing relief operations, emphasizing that rescuers and government departments are acting on President Xi Jinping’s “important instructions.”
Tragic Loss of Officials
The disaster has claimed the lives of some officials, including Luo Xudong, the deputy mayor of Shulan, and three members of his team. They were killed while assessing conditions in the area, highlighting the dangers faced by those involved in emergency operations.
Flood Fallout from Typhoon Doksuri
The floods are part of the aftermath of former super typhoon Doksuri, which initially made landfall in Fujian on July 28. The storm caused landslides and flooding in Fujian before moving north towards Beijing and neighboring Hebei province. Beijing experienced its heaviest rainfall in 140 years, while Lincheng in Hebei received an astonishing amount of rain, equivalent to two years of rainfall in the region.
Financial Assistance
The central government’s support includes an additional allocation of 350 million yuan for parts of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and northeastern China affected by the floods. This adds to the previously allocated 520 million yuan in natural disaster relief funds for the flood-hit regions.
Vice-Premier’s Involvement
Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing has been actively overseeing flood control and disaster relief efforts. After directing rescue work in Beijing, Zhang was sent to Tianjin to supervise the operations. His main priority was ensuring accommodation for the affected and making sure that essential supplies like food, drinking water, clothing, and medicine were provided promptly.
Casualties and Damage
The death toll has reached more than 30 people nationwide, with 11 in Beijing and 10 in Baoding, Hebei province. Nearly 100 counties and districts in Hebei have been flooded, affecting 2.2 million people. One area particularly hard-hit is Shulan, where four officials died. Shulan has been hammered by heavy rain since Tuesday, with record rainfall in some parts of the city.
Emergency Rescue and Recovery Efforts
Shulan authorities were able to evacuate 18,916 people and set up 21 temporary resettlement sites. They also repaired critical infrastructure such as communication sites and power facilities, restoring power supply to over 6,500 households. The worst of the rain appears to be over in Shulan, and authorities are now focusing on repairing damaged roads, bridges, electricity infrastructure, and telecommunications base stations.
Reflection
The disaster in northeastern China is a sobering reminder of the destructive power of nature. It has caused significant loss of life and infrastructure damage, impacting millions of people. However, the Chinese government’s response has been robust, with thousands of military personnel deployed, substantial financial aid provided, and a clear strategy for recovery and rebuilding.
The tragic loss of officials like Luo Xudong and his team illustrates the risks faced by those working on the front lines of disaster response. It emphasizes the need for strong planning, preparation, and safety measures in emergency operations.
The story also brings into focus the broader issues of climate change and the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Typhoon Doksuri’s impact was felt across vast regions, from Fujian in the southeast to Beijing in the north. This raises questions about preparedness, urban planning, and the sustainability of existing infrastructure in the face of climate-related challenges.
Finally, the involvement of the Communist Party and President Xi Jinping demonstrates the centralized approach to disaster management in China. The authorities were quick to deploy resources, coordinate efforts, and allocate funds, reflecting a strong commitment to safeguarding citizens’ well-being.
In the coming months, China will continue to face the monumental task of rebuilding and rehabilitating the affected areas. The experience from this disaster will undoubtedly serve as a lesson for future preparedness, reinforcing the importance of collaboration, communication, and compassion in the face of adversity.
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