Rescuers are working round the clock to restore communications and transport links in villages of Suizhong County and Jianchang County in northeast China's Liaoning Province, after days of intense rainstorms damaged roads, broke down facilities, and forced thousands to evacuate.
During the torrential downpours, Dayangshugou Village in Suizhong recorded a maximum precipitation of 540 mm, breaking the historical record since Huludao City began to collect meteorological data.
The heavy rain caused the water level of Suizhou's main river, Gouhe River, to rise rapidly, destroying bridges that connect four villages, including Dayangshugou Village, to the outside world, and resulting in the temporary disruption on the roads leading to the villages.
"There are seven bridges on the Gouhe River which extends nearly 10 kilometers, and all of them have been washed away," said Zhu Hongjun, a local town official.
"The road leading up the mountain, the over 20-kilometer village road network, as well as the main road, have all broken down." said Kan Zhongqi, an official of Dayangshugou Village.
In response, a professional rescue team from Dalian City in the province was dispatched to the disaster area, bringing large-scale equipment such as lighting vehicles. Through their continuous efforts, a 51-meter-long temporary mechanized bridge was constructed by Wednesday night.
As the channel was reopened, a large amount of emergency equipment and daily necessities have begun to be transported into the affected areas.
Excavators and other heavy equipment have been deployed into the disaster-affected areas and are undertaking repair and reinforcement work on the damaged roads.
"Just ahead, several excavators and forklifts are working to clear the siltation from the flooded road. The repair efforts are nearing completion here, and the damaged slopes and retaining walls are being reinforced," said Zhu.
Despite the house and road damages, local authorities had implemented flood prevention measures before the heavy rain occurred, organizing the evacuation of villagers, especially the elderly, from low-lying and other high-risk areas.
"The town and village authorities have both contacted us to inform the evacuation. We have never seen a flood of such magnitude before," said Li Guifeng, a local villager.
"We immediately organized the evacuation of villagers, and the escape routes had been arranged and coordinated in advance," said Kan.
As the electricity and water supply in the village have not been restored yet, while emergency road repairs are underway, food, drinking water and other daily necessities are also being delivered to the affected villagers.
The heavy rainfall has also triggered flash floods in some towns in nearby Jianchang County, damaging roads and disrupting telecommunications.
In Yangshuwanzi, one of the towns most severely impacted, local authorities are carrying out emergency road repairs to reestablish vital transportation links.
"About 90 percent of the roads in villages have been damaged. While some damaged roads remain passable for pedestrians, 90 percent of the roads are completely inaccessible to vehicles," said Wang Yali, a local town official.
To reestablish the critical lifeline for emergency rescue and supply transportation, local authorities have deployed large-scale machinery and are working continuously to accelerate the restoration of connectivity.
The heavy rainfall has resulted in the blockage of four trunk roads and 82 rural roads across Jianchang.
Regarding the two towns most severely affected—Yangshuwanzi and Datun—the provincial transportation department has mobilized six emergency response teams to assist with local rescue and disaster relief efforts.
At present, 31 interrupted road sections have been restored, allowing for basic passage. The remaining disrupted road connections are being restored through concerted efforts.
Flooded villages in Liaoning bear down on post-disaster restoration
