All flood-damaged roads in Yuzhong County, northwest China's Gansu Province, had been repaired and reopened around 13:30 Sunday, after torrential rain hit the county on Thursday evening and caused flash floods and mudslides.
Parts of the provincial capital Lanzhou were also hit by the heavy rainfall. According to the Office of Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, as of Saturday night, 15 people lost their lives in the disasters, 15 were injured and 28 remained missing.
After almost 24 hours of nonstop rescue efforts by nearly 200 workers on site, the Xinglong No. 2 Bridge on Provincial Road S104 in Yuzhong -- the last part of the roads damaged by floods -- was officially reopened to traffic Sunday afternoon.
Provincial Road S104 connects Yuzhong's urban area to Xinglong Mountain and the heavily impacted Mapo Township. Clearing this section will significantly boost follow-up rescue efforts.
"Provincial Road S104 is the 'main artery' through the disaster area. Yesterday, all major rural roads were cleared. With this 'artery' reopened, the delivery of supplies will be smoother and more convenient," said Qu Jiyuan, deputy director of Lanzhou Highway Development Center under Gansu Department of Transportation.
The rain-triggered flash floods caused severe damage to infrastructure in five townships of Yuzhong County. Road damage totaled approximately 102 kilometers, with five bridges destroyed and road access cut off to 14 administrative villages.
"As of 18:00 yesterday, we have cleared all lifeline roads to the affected villages. With the last breakpoint on Provincial Road S104 now repaired, all disaster-damaged roads in Yuzhong County are now open again. Next, we will immediately make a transportation reconstruction plan and fully move into the post-disaster rebuilding phase," said Zhang Junren, deputy director of Gansu Department of Transportation.
All flood-damaged roads in flood-hit northwest China county reopened
