A Life Rescue Race Against Time - A Documentary on the Search and Rescue of the Xiahe River Mudslide Disaster in Gansu Province
Lanzhou, July 12th (Xinhua) - At around 23:00 on July 10th, a debris flow disaster occurred in Zhangzigou Village, Madang Town, Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. After the disaster, emergency, public security, fire and other rescue forces quickly launched a life rescue race against time.
At around 23:34 on the 10th, due to prolonged heavy rainfall, flash floods in Zhangzigou Village caused mudslides, and rolling mud poured down the river. The sleeping crowd was quickly awakened, and everyone carried umbrellas and ran to the high ground to take refuge. "This is the first time I've seen such heavy rain," said some elderly people in the village. Soon, mud poured into village roads, squares, and even some villagers' homes.
A disaster site in Zhangzigou Village.
![A Life Rescue Race Against Time - A Documentary on the Search and Rescue of the Xiahe River Mudslide Disaster in Gansu Province](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/ff4d1e6148ee55bcfd9d85ea8662dbdc.jpg)
At this moment, someone in the crowd shouted, "The people from the sand and gravel factory have not withdrawn yet" and "Hurry up and call the police.". There are more than 30 workers in the sand and gravel factory. When a mudslide occurs, many people are trapped in sheds, and dump trucks and trucks are overturned in the river by mud and water. The situation is extremely urgent.
The night was pitch black, and heavy rainfall continued. The flood discharge canal in the village has been blocked, and a large amount of sand, gravel, and mud water is rushing in all directions. The search and rescue personnel waded hand in hand through the mud and water, using all their strength with each step. After a difficult journey, they finally rescued several workers trapped in the work shed, with 7 of them injured. Two more people died and two were lost, and search and rescue personnel were once again involved in searching for the missing individuals.
Rescue scene.
![A Life Rescue Race Against Time - A Documentary on the Search and Rescue of the Xiahe River Mudslide Disaster in Gansu Province](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/88b1911281d49e6384a4792a727392f2.jpg)
At 16:00 on the 11th, all 336 people from 76 households affected by the disaster have been transferred to temporary resettlement sites. Water and electricity were immediately connected to the resettlement site, ensuring the livelihoods of the affected population. The rescue forces also worked with local officials and people to clear and shovel mud, dig roads, and reinforce houses, making every effort to restore post disaster production and living order.
Temporary resettlement sites for disaster affected populations.
Starting from 10:30 on the 12th, the Gansu Provincial Department of Water Resources launched a Level III emergency response for flood and drought disaster prevention. At present, various regions in Gansu are closely monitoring changes in rainfall and water conditions, strengthening monitoring and forecasting, consultation and analysis, and duty keeping, strengthening safe flood control and scientific scheduling of reservoirs, implementing prevention measures for floods and mountain floods in small and medium-sized rivers, as well as embankment inspections and defenses, and making every effort to protect the safety of people's lives and property.
![A Life Rescue Race Against Time - A Documentary on the Search and Rescue of the Xiahe River Mudslide Disaster in Gansu Province](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/51f3397a1d4fe25f9423a00a7f841484.jpg)