China Battling Floods & Droughts, 2010 Chinese News Photos

This is an aerial photograph taken on June 22nd of an inundated village in Yujiang County of Jiangxi Province. Continuous torrential rains caused flooding in Jiangxi's Fuhe river basin, causing serious severe floods.

This is an aerial photograph taken on June 22nd of an inundated village in Yujiang County of Jiangxi Province. Continuous torrential rains caused flooding in Jiangxi's Fuhe river basin, causing serious severe floods.

From Xinhua, China Daily, & QQ:

2010 Photo Memorial: Battling floods and droughts

2010, China tested by “both fire and ice”

In spring, Southwestern provinces including Yunnan, Guangxi, Guizhou, and Sichuan suffered once-in-a-hundred years severe droughts. The continuous droughts caused massive agricultural crop failure, with nearly a thousand small reservoirs and nearly ten thousand small ponds drying up, and 20.88 million people running out of drinking water…

Then, unimaginably, following the major droughts quickly came torrential rains and floods. In a blink of an eye, mountain villages became “isolated islands”, with land inundated by water everywhere before our eyes. From the Zhujiang River to the Changjiang [Yangtze] River 437 rivers throughout the country experienced flooding above warning levels. With the the areas that were flooded numerous, the length of flooding long, the damages and losses heavy, the injured and dead many, the social impact was the largest since 1998.

Facing severe natural disasters, under the Party and the government’s strong leadership, the entire country’s citizens urgently mobilized, sticking together through thick and thin, with amazing courage and strength, and seized major victories again and again in the fight against floods and droughts, composing song after song of earth-moving heroic songs.

Experts point out that our country may be entering a period where natural disasters will frequently occur. A string of natural disasters teaches us that we must uphold scientific development and protect the environment from which we depend upon for our survival in order to achieve harmony between man and nature.

Note: Click on the images for larger photographs. Place mouse over photos for the original Chinese captions.

In Guimo Village of Qinglong Country of Guizhou Province, a Buyi minority girl is drinking water (March 4). Continued dry, hot weather caused a historically rare drought in Guizhou, with the people suffering serious water shortages and agricultural severely affected. Photo: Xinhua Reporter Liu Xu

In Guimo Village of Qinglong Country of Guizhou Province, a Buyi minority girl is drinking water (March 4). Continued dry, hot weather caused a historically rare drought in Guizhou, with the people suffering serious water shortages and agricultural severely affected. Photo: Xinhua Reporter Liu Xu

At the Dege Haizi resevoir in Luliang County of Yunnan Province, a small dead fish caught in the cracks of dried mud (April 3). Photo: Xinhua reporter Qin Qing

At the Dege Haizi resevoir in Luliang County of Yunnan Province, a small dead fish caught in the cracks of dried mud (April 3). Photo: Xinhua reporter Qin Qing

In the Hani and Yi minority autonomous prefecture Yuanyang County of Yunnan Province, a Hani minority villager squats on the dried reservoir bed worrying (February 24). Photo: Xinhua reporter Chen Haining

In the Hani and Yi minority autonomous prefecture Yuanyang County of Yunnan Province, a Hani minority villager squats on the dried reservoir bed worrying (February 24). Photo: Xinhua reporter Chen Haining

Guimo Village of Qinglong County of Guizhou Province, a Buyi minority women is waiting to get water (March 4). Continued dry, hot weather caused a historically rare drought in Guizhou, with the people suffering serious water shortages and agricultural severely affected. Photo: Xinhua Reporter Liu Xu

Guimo Village of Qinglong County of Guizhou Province, a Buyi minority women is waiting to get water (March 4). Continued dry, hot weather caused a historically rare drought in Guizhou, with the people suffering serious water shortages and agricultural severely affected. Photo: Xinhua Reporter Liu Xu

Ding Chaoke and his daughter carry water on back to their home (March 7). They are villagers from Chahe Village located in Malu Town of Huize County in Qujing City of Yunnan Province, which has become a disaster area. The local villagers must climb over a mountain to reach a water source to get water. Xinhua reporter Qin Qing

Ding Chaoke and his daughter carry water on back to their home (March 7). They are villagers from Chahe Village located in Malu Town of Huize County in Qujing City of Yunnan Province, which has become a disaster area. The local villagers must climb over a mountain to reach a water source to get water. Xinhua reporter Qin Qing

In Haike Village of Awang Town in Kunming City of Yunnan Province, an elderly man sits besides a long "line" of water containers waiting for a water delivery truck to come deliver water (March 31). Photo: Xinhua

In Haike Village of Awang Town in Kunming City of Yunnan Province, an elderly man sits besides a long "line" of water containers waiting for a water delivery truck to come deliver water (March 31). Photo: Xinhua

In Duan County of Guangxi Province, a village cadre escorts trapped students to safety (June 1). From 23:00 May 31 to the morning of June 1, Guangxi Province Duan Country experienced heavy rainfall, the county's rainfall reaching 329.4mm, with most of the villages and towns receiving 100mm of rainfall or above. Photo: Xinhua

In Duan County of Guangxi Province, a village cadre escorts trapped students to safety (June 1). From 23:00 May 31 to the morning of June 1, Guangxi Province Duan Country experienced heavy rainfall, the county's rainfall reaching 329.4mm, with most of the villages and towns receiving 100mm of rainfall or above. Photo: Xinhua

Jiangxi Province Yujiang County, a city resident wades through chest-high flood water holding an umbrella (June 20). Heavy rainfall caused the Tahe River waters to overflow the banks, resulting in all four roads connecting Yujiang County in Jiangxi Province with the outside world being completely submerged underneath the floodwater. Photo: Xinhua reporter Zhou Mi

Jiangxi Province Yujiang County, a city resident wades through chest-high flood water holding an umbrella (June 20). Heavy rainfall caused the Tahe River waters to overflow the banks, resulting in all four roads connecting Yujiang County in Jiangxi Province with the outside world being completely submerged underneath the floodwater. Photo: Xinhua reporter Zhou Mi

The Shiting River Bridge along the Deyang to Guanghan route of the Baoji-Chengdu rail line destroyed by floods (August 19). Photo: Xinhua reporter Jiang Hongjing

The Shiting River Bridge along the Deyang to Guanghan route of the Baoji-Chengdu rail line destroyed by floods (August 19). Photo: Xinhua reporter Jiang Hongjing

Torrential rains in Wuhuan, a city resident walks out from under an railway overpass (July 13). Photo: Xinhua

Torrential rains in Wuhuan, a city resident walks out from under an railway overpass (July 13). Photo: Xinhua

In Sichuan Province's Dazhou City county seat, a man rows forth on his an improvised "boat" (July 19). On July 16th, Sichuan Province's Dazhou City suffered torrential rains and flooding, the Qu River water level rising 24.8 meters, 9.31 meters beyond the warning level, with over 1/3 of the city submerged. Photo: Xinhua reporter Jiang Hongjing

In Sichuan Province's Dazhou City county seat, a man rows forth on his an improvised "boat" (July 19). On July 16th, Sichuan Province's Dazhou City suffered torrential rains and flooding, the Qu River water level rising 24.8 meters, 9.31 meters beyond the warning level, with over 1/3 of the city submerged. Photo: Xinhua reporter Jiang Hongjing

Fujian police officers use boats to rescue trapped villagers from Baozhuang Village of Yuankeng Town in Fujian's Shunchang County (June 260. Photo: Xinhua reporter Jiang Kehong

Fujian police officers use boats to rescue trapped villagers from Baozhuang Village of Yuankeng Town in Fujian's Shunchang County (June 260. Photo: Xinhua reporter Jiang Kehong

The newly built Yingxiu Town amongst the floods (August 14). From night on August 13th to the morning of the 14th, Sichuan Province Wenchuan was met with sudden torrential rain showers and multiple=

A city resident of Sanya, Hainan wades through a flooded section of roadway (October 4). Photo: Xinhua

A city resident of Sanya, Hainan wades through a flooded section of roadway (October 4). Photo: Xinhua

Firefighters brave the heavy downpour to relocate trapped people in Qionghai City of Hainan Province (October 5). Torrential rains nearly paralyzed city traffic in Qionghai City of Hainin Province. Photo: Xinhua

Firefighters brave the heavy downpour to relocate trapped people in Qionghai City of Hainan Province (October 5). Torrential rains nearly paralyzed city traffic in Qionghai City of Hainin Province. Photo: Xinhua

 Zuoli Town farmers in Duchang County of Jiangxi Province rush to harvest early season rice that has been submerged by floods (July 24). Affected by torrential rains, Zuoli Town was seriously waterlogged, with 19,700mu of rice paddies flooded. Photo: Xinhua reporter Zhou Ke

Zuoli Town farmers in Duchang County of Jiangxi Province rush to harvest early season rice that has been submerged by floods (July 24). Affected by torrential rains, Zuoli Town was seriously waterlogged, with 19,700mu of rice paddies flooded. Photo: Xinhua reporter Zhou Ke

A restaurant in Sanyu City of Hainan Island is closed due to its first floor being flooded by rainwater (October 4). Photo: Xinhua

A restaurant in Sanyu City of Hainan Island is closed due to its first floor being flooded by rainwater (October 4). Photo: Xinhua

Rescue workers in Shanggantang Village of Jiangyong County in Hunan Province rescue a pregnant woman in labor trapped by flood waters (May 14). Torrential rains caused a flood disaster in the historical Shanggantang Village of Jiangyong County. Photo: Xinhua

Rescue workers in Shanggantang Village of Jiangyong County in Hunan Province rescue a pregnant woman in labor trapped by flood waters (May 14). Torrential rains caused a flood disaster in the historical Shanggantang Village of Jiangyong County. Photo: Xinhua

A portion of student test-takers and their parents in Xupu County of Hunan Province ride an excavator to relocate from the Chucai Middle School test site surrounded by flood waters to a back-up test site (June 8). Photo: Xinhua

A portion of student test-takers and their parents in Xupu County of Hunan Province ride an excavator to relocate from the Chucai Middle School test site surrounded by flood waters to a back-up test site (June 8). Photo: Xinhua

A resident of Huaiyang County in Henan Province rides a moped through flood waters (July 19). From July 16 to the 19th, as a result of strong convective weather, large parts of Henan Province were subject to torrential rainstorms and high winds. Photo: Xinhua

A resident of Huaiyang County in Henan Province rides a moped through flood waters (July 19). From July 16 to the 19th, as a result of strong convective weather, large parts of Henan Province were subject to torrential rainstorms and high winds. Photo: Xinhua

For a flood after a drought. Personals @ chinaSMACK.

  • Yurp

    Some great pictures here. As for this:

    “[] under the Party and the government’s strong leadership, the entire country’s citizens urgently mobilized, sticking together through thick and thin, with amazing courage and strength, and seized major victories again and again in the fight against floods and droughts, composing song after song of earth-moving heroic songs.”

    Yawn.

    • http://www.lovelovechina.com Crystal

      I’d rather like China to be a boring country without disasters with which only heroes and supermen under government’s leadership can deal.

    • Alikese

      “Then Grandpa Wen came to Yunnan and kicked the water out of South West China with one great effort. The flood water shot out into the South China Sea where it landed on the Capitalist Running Dog American War Ships. The naval officers couldn’t see the water coming because their big yanguizi noses were blocking it so Grandpa Wen’s water crashed into the Imperialist Navy and sank the ships. And then the Chinese soccer team won.”
      -Xinhua

  • Ray

    the “Shiting River” AHAHAHA

    we need some serious proof reading before posting the photo comments.

    • Fauna

      Why proof reading?

      石亭江
      shi ting jiang
      Shiting River

      http://j.map.baidu.com/bEpy

      I know it is funny but it is not “shitting”. It is just Chinese transliteration.

      • 老外

        I don’t know what’s wrong with 屎氿江.

        • BlothaLonely

          Hello, got some soy sauce?

  • PEYE

    The people shown here are the salt of the earth. Come hell or high water they are dertermined to stick together in order to beat what ever is thrown at them. Being tough is an understatement.

  • brent

    These Xinhua reporters are only concerned with selling images.

    Reporter: “Hey, little Buyi girl, you have big eyes, why don’t you come and suck on this pipe.”
    Girl: “I’m not thirsty.”
    Reporter: “How about I give you a bag of QQ tang.”
    Girl: “Okay!”

    Dege River Basin

    Reporter: “Where’s all the dead fish? What? No fish? How about we just stick my dried sardines in the mud and see how it looks.”

    Jiangxi

    Reporter: “Hey, man with umbrella, you look dry, why don’t you jump in the water and I’l take a picture.”

    Umbrella man: “No way, I’ll get wet!”
    Reporter: “I’ll give you a bag QQ tang.”

    Umbrella man: “I love QQ tang.”

    Reporter:” That’s good, alright, put your finger in your ear like you got water in it – nice!”

    My point is that disasters will happen, and I am sympathetic, but try and use a bit of sense when looking at these pictures.

    Reporters take thousands of photos and then construct situations from the best ones. Cute kids sucking on water pipes isn’t the real situation. You need kids dying in the streets to represent that.

    • @@

      herp derp

      my selective journalism > your selective journalism

    • dim mak

      If only everyone in China could be bought off with a bag of chewy candy…

      • mankouzanghua

        they can, but ONLY if they are being paid off to do what they were already doing — e.g., getting a drink, walking somewhere in a flood, harvesting rice early. ;) I’m just not sure where this observation gets us…

  • 水溶C100

    Some people really have it tough in China….

    Great photos.

  • xmcx

    “A string of natural disasters teaches us that we must uphold scientific development and protect the environment”
    No it doesn’t, it means the heavens desire the current emperor to be changed!

  • Joe

    Fauna, what is up with the advertising.chinasmack? I subscribed to ChinaSmack via RSS, not advertising.chinasmack, which also shows up in my feed.

  • elenore

    It’s mismanagement of Water,Natural environments,and poor damning projects.Water is going to be a problem.As well as farming in areas like grasslands which weren’t meant for farming are expanding into dry lands,when you do have rains they just become floods because the grasslands and trees have been removed as well as the small ponds and river systems that used to soak up the water,instead it just flows out to the oceans and to the cities.America has the same problem in the South West.Which we still haven’t fixed and is getting worse with migration.We have been relying on ground water in those areas.Federal Government and State governments won’t tell people no more expansion.Eventually very soon Cities and Farmers are going to have legal battles over water.

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