Swift Response Curbs Flood Damage in China’s Chongqing

（Video credit: Chongqing Three Gorges Convergence Media Center, Qijiang District Convergence Media Center)

Chongqing - Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality has seen severe rainfall since Monday, with districts and counties along the Yangtze River hit hardest. The city initiated a level III emergency flood response at noon on Tuesday.

President Xi Jinping has urged all levels of authorities to prioritize people’s safety and property and minimize loss from flood prevention and disaster relief efforts.

The China National Commission for Disaster Reduction and the Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a team to assess the situation and provide guidance and support for local relief work. 

Rescue forces began emergency operations immediately to protect lives and property.

Wanzhou in northeastern Chongqing saw a torrential downpour. Wanzhou’s Changtan town recorded the highest daily rainfall at 253.4 millimeters. 

The latest round of torrential rains since July 3 had killed 15 people and left four others missing as of 10 a.m. Wednesday, local authorities said. A total of 37,226 people were affected by the rain, and 11,578 people were transferred for emergency avoidance.

Among those needing assistance was 78-year-old Zhang Shenglan, who was unable to evacuate in time due to mobility issues. When the water level rose, blocking access to her home, rescuers used an ax to open her door and led her to safety on a life buoy.

Over 500 individuals, including party members, volunteers, police officers, and emergency rescue workers, assisted in the Wuqiao subdistrict rescue.  As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, they had safely relocated over 4,500 people and rescued 112 trapped individuals.