Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China began its 2026 winter irrigation on Sunday, channeling 971 million cubic meters of Yellow River water through its irrigation district over the next 31 days.
The water supply will be prioritized for drinking water storage for local residents and livestock, as well as for overwintering crops including winter wheat, grapes, goji berries and daylilies.
Winter irrigation is a key measure for ensuring stable agricultural output and safeguarding food and ecological security, laying a solid foundation for crop regrowth and spring planting next year.
The water stored during winter irrigation will also help meet production and daily living needs after irrigation stops until the next season begins.
Ningxia launches winter irrigation, prioritizing water supply for people, livestock and crops
Three people critically injured in the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Baqen County in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region are in stable condition after a continuous relay of surgeries lasting 15 hours.
The patients suffered severe trauma in the quake, with complex injuries that made treatment difficult. They were transferred urgently from neighboring Sog County, in the rugged high-altitude terrain of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, to the region's main hospital in Nagqu City to the northwest.
The hospital quickly assembled a specialist team, bringing together medical experts from the aid-Xizang program with key doctors from its orthopedics, surgery and emergency departments.
"We worked closely with the hospital's own medical staff to treat the trauma patients, sparing no effort. As long as the injured can pull through, all the hard work is worth it. We will stay at our posts and continue to provide follow-up treatment," said Zhao Hengwu, a member of the Liaoning medical team aiding Xizang.
While the surgeries were underway, the hospital was also running a two-front rescue effort, dispatching medical personnel to the disaster zone to screen and treat survivors on the spot.
"After the earthquake, we immediately organized an 18-member rescue team and sent it to the front line in the disaster area. At the same time, the hospital opened a green channel so that all earthquake victims could receive priority consultation and treatment. We will certainly stay at our posts, do our utmost to treat every injured person, and protect the people's lives and health," said Sonam Phuntsok, vice president of the hospital.
Three critically injured in Xizang earthquake in stable condition after 15-hour relay surgeries
Three critically injured in Xizang earthquake in stable condition after 15-hour relay surgeries
