Emergency engineering work is still busy underway to block and close the breach caused by a disastrous dike burst on part of the Dongting Lake in Tuanzhou Township of Yueyang City in central China's Hunan Province, which has led to the evacuation of more than 5,700 local residents.
A dike of the Dongting Lake burst at 17:48 Friday following failed emergency repair efforts in Tuanzhou Township, Huarong County under Yueyang City, causing flooding in the low-lying areas in the vicinity.
Initially, the breach was 10 meters wide later Friday, but it expanded to 226 meters by 11:00 on Saturday, with a water level difference of 0.1 meters. The flooding covers an area of 47.64 square kilometers.
As of Sunday morning, the water level has stabilized. Emergency crews are engaged in busy repair work at both ends of the breach to prevent further expansion.
More than 2,300 emergency crew members and over 160 speedboats have been deployed to carry out the emergency operations. About 55,600 tons of rocks have been urgently transferred from Huarong's surrounding counties and cities to block the gap. Plastic sheets have been laid on 10 kilometers of areas to reinforce a dam that separates Tuanzhou from nearby townships.
Additionally, local governments at the county, city, and provincial levels have provided emergency supplies, including 1,000 tents, 3,200 rollaway beds, 3,200 summer blankets, and 3,200 mattresses.
China's Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management have dispatched working groups to the scene. More than 800 personnel from the China National Comprehensive Fire and Rescue Team, along with 146 vehicles and 82 boats, have been deployed.
Drones and remote sensing satellites have been used to gather images of the dike breach and the affected areas.
So far, over 5,700 residents of the affected area have been evacuated to safety, and no casualties have been reported, according to the local flood control department.
Emergency response intensifies as dike breach triggers flooding in central China county
With over a million followers on social media, French influencer Greg is dedicated to showcasing modern life and culture in China, inviting viewers to experience the country firsthand.
Currently based in Shanghai, Greg leverages his platform to share everything from delectable Chinese cuisine to popular trends, often featuring creative videos such as "Living a day in Shanghai on 100 yuan" and "How many Chinese cities can you visit in a day?"
Greg's connection to China dates back 16 years to when he was a 25-year-old student at a university in France. As graduation approached, he had the opportunity to study abroad and chose China among various options. Upon arriving in China, he quickly envisioned a future in the country and became determined to secure a steady job.
His journey took a significant turn during the Expo 2010 Shanghai China, where he worked as a translator for several travel agencies. His outstanding performance during the event led to an opportunity with a multinational wine trading company, where he served as the marketing director.
"Being a foreigner who speaks Chinese opened up numerous job opportunities for me. Every day has felt like a new adventure. Each day has felt different, and I was discovering new things every day. Even now, in 2024, I still feel this way," he said.
Initially, Greg produced informative videos in his spare time while working in the wine industry. His strong desire for self-expression and creativity attracted a significant following, fueling his inspiration for more content.
"I focus on creating optimistic videos. Because in my mind, China is a place full of optimism and happiness. You can experience anything you want here. You just need to create your own opportunities. I really like this kind of life," he said.
In 2022, after 12 years in the wine industry, he transitioned to full-time content creation. This shift was motivated by his love for the profession and a realization he had during a visit to France two years prior, where he discovered a widespread lack of understanding about China.
"I often complain about how inconvenient things are in France. For example, every time I go out, I forget my wallet, but in China, we don't need a wallet. Everything can be done through our phones. When we want to go shopping in France, we have to line up at the checkout and take all the stuff back home all by ourselves. I told my French countrymates, 'You know what? In China, people can use apps to order takeout, and it can be delivered within half an hour,'" he said.
Greg has made it his mission to create videos that highlight the aspects of China he loves, sharing these stories with audiences in France and around the world.
"People in France like China a lot now because of the videos I post," he said proudly.
He also emphasizes the need for a real-life experience to truly understand China.
"Watching videos is not enough. You have to come and see for yourself. Five hundred videos are nothing when compared to spending just 24 hours in Shanghai. It's only when you experience that you'll truly understand what China is all about. I wholeheartedly invite everyone to visit China, and I hope my videos inspire them to do that," he said.
French influencer promotes China's allure through social media
