Continuous heavy rain in provinces including Guizhou and Hubei in the southwestern and central parts of the country has caused flooding and geological risks, prompting authorities to rapidly launch search and rescue operations to protect the lives and property of the flood-hit population.
In Changming Township, Guiding County of Guizhou, heavy rain led to water inundating the first floor of a house on Tuesday, and two elderly residents, who have limited mobility, were trapped on the second floor.
Search and rescue personnel waded into the house to put life jackets on the two seniors, and set up a ladder to successfully evacuate them to safety in around 15 minutes.
In Baishui River Village, Xuanen County, the Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Hubei Province, heavy rain caused the water level on the Bailushui River to surge on Tuesday, severely affecting surrounding areas. Road access along the river was disrupted.
Local authorities assembled search and rescue forces. The rescuers reached the site on foot after a three-hour trek to evacuate the trapped residents.
"Just within a few hours (after the disaster), the main search and rescue force arrived, and we finally felt relieved and saw hope," said Zhang Yuanzhong, a local villager.
As of the present, all trapped residents in Baishui River Village have been successfully evacuated and resettled. Ongoing emergency work includes searching for and locating missing people, clearing roads, and repairing damaged power supply systems.
Heavy rain hits multiple regions in China, search and rescue underway
