Thousands of residents in Huarong County of central China's Hunan Province have been evacuated to four school campuses-turned makeshift shelters following a disastrous lake dike breach on Friday,
The breach caused torrents of water from the Dongting Lake to flood surrounding low-lying areas in Tuanzhou Township of the county, with nearly 48 square kilometers inundated.
Prompted by the breach, 5,755 residents were urgently evacuated to four school campuses within Huarong County, which now serve as makeshift shelters. Starting from Saturday morning, all evacuees were transferred to these campuses, which offer basic living conditions.
Among the makeshift shelters is Huarong Vocational Secondary School, the county's largest facility capable of accommodating over 3,000 residents. It operates with seven work groups and a team of over 120 volunteers rotating to provide essential services for the evacuees.
The procedures of registration and accommodation at the shelter have been streamlined, with volunteers assisting evacuees upon arrival, ensuring each of them receives basic necessities like bedding and bottled water.
Since midnight Saturday, Huarong Vocational Secondary School alone has accommodated over 900 evacuees.
Life has quickly resumed order and regularity at the vocational school, with breakfast being served from 06:40 onwards to accommodate local farmers' early schedules. Additional food batches are planned throughout the day to cater to varying needs. Additional food and snacks are served throughout the day to meet people's need.
The campus facilities also provide medical care and psychological support, with essentials items such as mosquito repellent and hygiene products delivered directly to dormitories.
Thousands evacuated to school campuses after lake dike breach 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
