Official announcements from Chinese government or major news outlets

President Xi Urges Rescue Efforts After Dongting Lake Dam Breach; 5,000 Evacuated

Jul 6, 2024, 01:30 PM

President Xi Jinping has urged all-out rescue and relief efforts following a dam breach in central China, which has led to severe flooding. The breach, located at Dongting Lake in Hunan Province, has prompted Chinese officials to deploy drones, satellites, and helicopters to manage the situation. Over 90 rivers in southern China have swelled above warning levels, affecting more than 1 million people in one province alone. Nearly 5,000 residents have been evacuated from the region. Chinese soldiers and firefighters are conducting door-to-door rescues of residents trapped in flooded houses. Officials have ordered workers to drive trucks filled with sand into the hole in the dam wall to stem floods caused by extreme weather.