Zhejiang’s Changxing County experienced short but heavy rainfall on August 14, triggering flash floods and mudslides. Streets, shops, and homes in Shuikou Township were submerged, with vehicles washed away. In Heping Town, mudslides destroyed residential buildings. A local villager told Epoch Times that about an hour after the sudden heavy rain, Shuikou Street was flooded, with water levels reaching over 1.7 meters.
According to official reports, from midnight on August 13 to 4 pm on August 14, Changxing County received an average rainfall of 128.2 mm, with Shuikou Township recording an average of 374.1 mm, and Huizhouzhuang Village in Shuikou Township registering a total rainfall of 416 mm.
Around 6:30 am on August 14, mudslides occurred in Danlongqiao Village, Heping Town due to the heavy rain. A two-story house collapsed, resulting in one fatality and three missing persons by 2:30 pm that day.
Subsequent reports on August 15 revealed that many roads were blocked by floodwaters, causing some cars to stall in the water. Some tea trees were also destroyed by the flooding.
A local resident noted multiple white erosion marks on the mountains, indicating the path of the mudslides that had descended.
Due to the heavy rain, widespread flooding occurred in Shuikou Township, Jiapu Town, and parts of Longshan Street. Some roads in rural areas were blocked by floodwaters and debris, preventing vehicles and people from passing through.
Another villager from Shuikou Village mentioned that the water level in Shuikou Street rose rapidly, submerging the area within a short period. She described the devastating impact on local businesses and homes, with fruit shops and breakfast eateries being washed away.
When the floodwaters receded, she inspected the damage in Shuikou Street, observing severe destruction to the infrastructure and properties. She shared the uncertainty faced by the residents, as the sudden flood caught them off guard.
Although no casualties were reported in Shuikou Village, her parents in Fushiling Village, Jiapu Town, faced significant property damage. Despite the challenges, she remained resolute in helping her family recover from the disaster.
As the cleanup efforts began on August 15, the villagers started assessing the damages and losses incurred. However, the lingering water supply issues hindered the recovery process, posing further challenges to the affected communities.
Reporting on August 16, a local official stated that the primary sectors affected by the disaster were agriculture and tourism, with losses concentrated among farmers and urban residents in the affected areas.
The devastated Danlongqiao Village primarily depended on tea plantation for income, highlighting the impact on households reliant on this agricultural activity.
The villager emphasized the financial difficulties her family faced, compounded by the poor market conditions for their tea and bayberry produce. Additionally, lack of insurance coverage added to their distress, leaving them with limited options for recovery and compensation.
Reflecting on the losses, she expressed the complexity of quantifying the financial impact of the disaster, acknowledging the significant financial setback endured by her family, yet also highlighting the resilience and determination to overcome the challenges ahead.
Please note that all details in this report are based on information available from the source provided in the original article.