Summary of Key Points
In July, affected by Typhoon Merak, the Liulan Reservoir in Hengzhou City, Nanning, Guangxi, experienced overflows and breaches, leading to severe flooding: 375,000 people were displaced, 6 died, 11 are missing, and 130,000 had to be evacuated urgently. Villagers were trapped on the mountains with no food or water, and they also faced the threat of venomous snakes. Why did this old reservoir, which had just been reinforced for 380 million yuan, collapse? Experts attribute the disaster to a combination of extreme weather, inherent defects in the dam, and neglected maintenance issues. Rescue efforts are underway, but supplies are still in short supply.
Detailed Analysis
The Power of the Flood
The flood came unexpectedly. On the 6th, when Lin Qiqing from Yunbiao Town left home, the water was only up to his ankles. However, after just over ten minutes of walking along a path, the water level had risen to more than two meters, causing cars to float away. He was swept away by the floodwaters and barely escaped with the help of a life jacket and neighbors. The situation in Yabi Village, downstream of the reservoir, was even worse: Manman's single-story house (with pillars so thick they couldn't be hugged) was washed away along with nine vehicles (including cars and tractors), along with cement and sand from a construction site, resulting in losses of at least five to six hundred thousand yuan. Official data shows that 63 counties and districts across the region were affected, with 12,900 hectares of crops damaged, and the economic loss is still being estimated.
The Dilemma of the Stranded
The two thousand villagers from Yabi Village fled to the mountains, carrying only their personal belongings. They forgot to bring essential medicines such as those for high blood pressure and diabetes. Without any shelter from the rain, everyone was drenched. Adults shared their umbrellas with children, and mothers sat in the mud, holding them throughout the night. There was no dry place to sit, and many people stood for over ten hours. To make matters worse, a snake farm in nearby Longzi Village was destroyed by the flood, releasing 800-900 snakes (including venomous cobras) into the forest. Villagers had to protect themselves from both the rain and the snakes. It wasn't until the afternoon of the 7th that drones delivered some bread, but no water was provided, so the two thousand people could only eat a small amount to stave off hunger.
The Reservoir That Cost Hundreds of Millions to Reinforce
The Liulan Reservoir was built in 1958 and has undergone several reinforcement projects. In 2009, 73.62 million yuan were spent to improve its safety, and in 2023, another 380 million yuan was invested in the transformation of the irrigation system. In 2024, standardized management measures were implemented (such as hardening the dam surface and installing intelligent monitoring systems). Villagers thought it would be safe after the reinforcement, but the reservoir still collapsed. Manman's question reflects the concerns of many: "Why was there no early warning? If so much money was spent on reinforcement, why couldn't it withstand the flood?"
Experts Unveil the Causes
Professor Kong Feng from China Agricultural University analyzed the disaster:
- Extreme weather was the direct trigger: Local rainfall in Hengzhou exceeded 560 millimeters in 24 hours, a record-breaking amount. The reservoir's daily water intake nearly matched its total capacity, causing the water to overflow the dam.
- Inherent defects in the dam: The old earthen dam had poor resistance to erosion, making it vulnerable to breaches.
- Neglected maintenance issues: Minor problems such as aging pipes and leaks in the dam went unnoticed until the flood hit, leading to a catastrophic failure.
Rescue Efforts in Progress
Rescue teams have arrived in Yunbiao Town, focusing on evacuating the elderly, pregnant women, and children. However, there is a severe shortage of supplies:
- Villagers on the mountains urgently need drinking water and tents (the rain continues, and they have no shelter).
- Antivenom is needed to deal with the threat of venomous snakes.
- In areas like Gantang Town, the number of kayaks available for rescue is insufficient. Although volunteer kayak teams are helping, the large number of affected people means there is still a lack of food and warm supplies. Xiao He's father is missing while on duty at the grain storage facility; she has searched all the evacuation centers but hasn't found him, which is very concerning.
This news highlights the vulnerability of old water infrastructure under extreme weather conditions and emphasizes that flood prevention requires not only financial investment in reinforcement but also ongoing maintenance and preparedness for extreme events. We hope that the trapped villagers can receive the necessary supplies as soon as possible, and those who are missing will be safely reunited.