Recovery Efforts and Ongoing Search for Missing Persons

In Yuzhong County, located in Northwest China's Gansu province, officials have reopened infrastructure and resumed power supply following devastating flash floods last week. Despite these progressions, rescuers are urgently trying to locate more than 28 individuals reported missing, with 15 confirmed dead as of Sunday. Liu Xuefeng, the deputy commander of the Gansu Forest Fire Brigade, mentioned that logistical challenges have limited access for heavy machinery, forcing teams to conduct searches by foot and manual digging. However, with major roads restored on Sunday, more than 100 heavy machinery units have been deployed to accelerate search and rescue efforts.

The torrential downpour that occurred from Thursday to Friday had severely impacted infrastructure, damaging several road sections totaling over 102 kilometers. By early Friday morning, local authorities had mobilized over 670 emergency staff alongside approximately 130 vehicles to address urgent repairs. By Saturday afternoon, access was restored to all affected villages, and emergency crews are now focused on maintaining clear routes for the distribution of relief materials.

State Grid Gansu Electric Power Co reported that power was fully restored to affected residents by Saturday night, thanks to the rapid response of repair teams comprising 330 personnel, emergency vehicles, and several generators. Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing visited the region on Friday to oversee the emergency response, stressing the importance of locating the missing individuals and enhancing monitoring and forecasting to prevent future disasters.

As of Sunday afternoon, over 10,000 individuals had been evacuated and relocated to eight resettlement centers and temporary shelters. Yu-zhong No 3 Middle School has opened its doors to 178 evacuees, including children, all of whom receive adequate meals and medical attention. Residents have expressed their gratitude for the quick assistance, citing the overwhelming nature of the storm that led them to seek shelter.

Support services, including counseling teams for young flood-affected victims, have also arrived in the area to provide emotional relief. Reports from meteorological stations indicated that the rainfall was unprecedented, leading to the worst flooding many locals have seen in their lifetimes. The Lanzhou Meteorological Administration has cautioned that further rainfall could lead to additional landslides, complicating rescue operations.