Rescue teams evacuate 130 residents after flooding in Guangxi

The Nanning detachment of the Guangxi Armed Police Force has evacuated more than 130 trapped residents after extreme rainfall brought by Typhoon Maysak caused serious flooding on Monday in Hengzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. The Liulan and Yunbiao reservoirs in Hengzhou experienced overtopping and breaches, inundating downstream areas including Xiaoyi and Shitang townships. Large parts of several villages were flooded, putting many residents at risk. In response, the detachment sent more than 160 officers, 14 vehicles, assault boats, life jackets, and emergency communications equipment to the areas affected most. On arrival, the officers worked with local emergency, fire, and water resources departments to assess water levels, identify where residents were trapped, and check road access. They then split into several groups to conduct rescue operations. In Xiaoyi and Shitang, where floodwaters were deepest and residents were most concentrated, soldiers used assault boats to carry out mobile searches, door-to-door checks, and phased evacuations. Rescue conditions were difficult through the night. Using flashlights in the dark, they searched flooded homes, carried trapped residents onto boats, and escorted them to temporary shelters. "The rain came and went, and we couldn't see a thing underwater," said Wei Hao, a soldier at the detachment. "We searched house by house. No one could be left behind." By Tuesday morning, the detachment had evacuated more than 130 residents, sent four medical workers and 260 pieces of emergency supplies into flooded areas, and helped treat eight injured people. It also delivered 40 tons of drinking water, 12,000 food items, and 800 boxes of disinfection materials. "My granddaughter had a high fever today," said a trapped resident surnamed Wei. "Thanks to all the officers for caring for us." Rescue operations remain ongoing.