Rescuers evacuated 347 residents within 24 hours after a dike burst on Dongting Lake, China's second-largest freshwater lake, in Huarong County in central China's Hunan Province on the afternoon of July 5.
Continuous heavy rain in northern Hunan caused the dike in Tuanzhou township of Huarong to burst. By Saturday, the breach extended over 200 meters, triggering an emergency response from Hunan's fire department with more than 1,000 firefighters dispatched immediately to conduct rescue and evacuation work.
A rescue team consisting of 12 young rescuers raced against time to reach Tuandong Village, where more than 40 villagers were trapped. The village is located seven kilometers away from the breach in the dike.
Sailing in the dark through the rushing waters, the rescue teams used trees to navigate.
"The water started to rise so fast everywhere that it was very difficult for the boats to move forward. We could hardly see the roads ahead, which seriously affected our sense of direction. There were a lot of floating objects on the water. Some of the utility poles are low and we got stuck by the wires sometimes," said Yang Xin, deputy head of a fire rescue detachment in Xiangtan City.
After over an hour, the rescuers finally found the trapped villagers and brought them to safe areas.
The rescue operation continued until dawn on Saturday, when rescue teams used rubber boats to conduct door-to-door checks to see if any people were trapped in houses in Tuandong Village and Tuansheng Village.
They managed to evacuate three elderly people and a 10-year-old girl, who got trapped on the second floor after the first floor of the house they were staying in had been inundated by floodwater.
"As Party members, we are needed the most when the people are facing a moment of crisis. It is our duty that no matter what difficulties we encounter, we must race against time and spare no effort to bring our people out of danger," said Yang Yi, a member of a fire rescue station.
After the evacuations, the firefighters shifted their focus to patrolling the dikes, inspecting for hazards and transporting emergency supplies.
Over 300 people evacuated within 24 hours of major breach in Dongting lake dike
As Chinese people enjoy their week-long National Day holiday, many have flocked to the western suburb of Beijing to experience the excitement of the World Table Tennis China Smash 2024, which concluded on Sunday after eleven days of fierce competition among the world's top players.
As the premier event on the World Table Tennis circuit, this year's WTT Smash is taking place from September 26 to October 6 at Beijing's Shougang Park.
At Smash Park on the western outskirt of Beijing, table tennis enthusiasts gathered to watch live matches on a big screen while relaxing on the lawn and enjoying the cool autumn breeze.
Families and friends cheered for their favorite players, calling this one of the best ways to spend the holiday this October.
"I've been a huge fan of table tennis for many years. I watched the matches inside the venue on September 29. It's fantastic to have an event like this in Beijing during the National Day holiday. The atmosphere is amazing," said Ma Qiuyu, a resident.
The Smash Park features four main zones: outdoor competitions, interactive entertainment, brand exhibitions, and dining. DJ performances are staged during breaks between matches, adding to the festive atmosphere.
One of the highlights for many fans is the daily meet-and-greet, where star players interact with the crowd and sign autographs.
Notably, the event is held in the Ice Hockey, Short Track Speed Skating, and Figure Skating venues—facilities used during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
"I came from Qingdao with my wife and kids specifically to watch the matches. I work in architecture and urban design, so I'm really impressed with how Shougang Park has transformed from a steel factory into Winter Games venues, and now into a space for the WTT Smash," said Liu Yang, a tourist from Shandong Province.
This is the first time in over six decades that Beijing has hosted a top table tennis event under the International Table Tennis Federation. Champions will receive 2,000 world ranking points. Beijing has secured the rights to host the WTT China Smash from 2024 to 2028, all set to take place at Shougang Park, making full use of its Winter Olympics legacy.
Visitors flock to Beijing's suburb to watch World Table Tennis China Smash 2024
