Recent heavy rains have battered Rongjiang and Congjiang counties in Guizhou Province, China, unleashing floods that have engulfed the areas in water. It has become a common occurrence in mainland China for towns and cities to be submerged during the rainy season. Observers point out that while natural disasters play a role in the flooding of Chinese cities, the impact of human actions cannot be ignored.
Since the 20th of this month, the continuous heavy rainfall has caused water levels of several rivers in Guizhou to rise rapidly, surpassing flood levels seen once every 30 years. Over 80,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in the province. In the severely affected Rongjiang county in the southeast of the province, authorities reported that as of the 26th, six people have lost their lives.
Former judge Lin Xiaolong from Guizhou Province, in an interview with Epoch Times, mentioned that he visited Rongjiang county and witnessed the city being submerged by floodwaters, a scene he found all too familiar since this is a common situation during the rainy season across various regions in China. Lin analyzed that the flooding disasters in mainland China, although related to natural causes, often involve human factors as well.
Lin pointed out that the drainage system is crucial for a city’s safety. However, Chinese Communist Party officials tend to focus on showcasing superficial achievements to highlight their political performance rather than investing in crucial infrastructure like drainage systems.
Lin cited the example of the “Village Access Road” project where contractors, in order to secure projects, develop close ties with local officials. Once the project is awarded, contractors cut corners by compromising on quality, such as using waste materials instead of proper construction materials. As a result, roads built under these conditions are easily washed away during the rainy season.
The issue of urban drainage problems is widespread across the country, especially during the rainy season when streets are frequently inundated with floodwater. Lin Xiaolong attributed this to rampant corruption in construction projects.
While official statements often attribute flood disasters to abnormal weather patterns, Lin argued that the poor drainage facilities played a significant role. He highlighted instances where roads and infrastructure were built with substandard materials due to corruption, ultimately compromising the safety and quality of these projects.
Lin also mentioned a friend who frequently received municipal projects but struggled due to corruption. The friend revealed that a significant portion of the earnings from projects had to be given as bribes to local officials to secure contracts. This cycle of corruption further leads to compromises in project quality, posing serious risks.
Lin used the example of the infamous Guibei Highway, known for its high accident rate. The highway was built without adhering to the standards of a proper expressway, with lanes narrowed significantly due to corruption in the construction process.
The prevalence of corruption in large-scale infrastructure projects is concerning, with substantial amounts of money being embezzled. Lin highlighted how this corruption not only affects the quality of projects but also endangers the lives and safety of the public who use these infrastructures.