Over the weekend, China evacuated more than 7,000 people after a dike breach at Dongting Lake, the country’s second-largest freshwater lake located in central Hunan province. This incident occurred on Friday at Tuanzhou township in Yueyang city, leading to significant flooding in the region.
To manage the crisis, the China Centre for Resources Satellite Data and Application (CRESDA) has deployed five satellites to provide real-time monitoring of the affected areas. These satellites have shown extensive flooding in regions that were previously meadows or land.
Thousands of rescuers, including firefighters, hydrologists, volunteers, and police, are working tirelessly to protect lives and properties. The emergency teams are facing a challenging task, as the situation remains critical.
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On Monday, a new threat emerged as an embankment, which serves as the second line of defense, was at risk of failing. This embankment is located in Huarong County, about two kilometers behind the initial dike that burst. More than 300 police officers and firefighters are currently working to prevent the embankment from eroding further due to a piping effect, which could cause it to burst if not properly managed.
The breached dike created a 226-meter gap, and rescue workers are working around the clock to close it. They are making progress at a rate of 60 to 80 meters a day. As of now, 138.5 meters of the breach have been sealed, and it is expected to be fully closed by Tuesday noon.
The situation has prompted a massive response effort, with thousands of rescue workers dedicated to mitigating the damage and ensuring the safety of the affected residents. Despite the challenges, the efforts to control the flooding and repair the dike continue, with the hope of restoring normalcy to the affected areas soon.
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