All-out relief efforts underway in flood-hit regions

Gao Jianhua, a grassroots leader at the Armed Police Force Beijing Corps, was among nearly 1,000 soldiers deployed to build flood barriers near the district's Ningcunxin bridge.

"When we started work around 8 pm on Monday, it was pouring. We could tell with our own eyes that the water level was quickly rising. The situation felt critical and urgent," Gao said, adding that they worked nonstop for 12 hours to complete the basic structure of a 1.6-kilometer-long embankment.

"A total of 100,000 sandbags were used, meaning that each soldier had loaded and transported about 100 sandbags throughout the process," he said, adding that reinforcement of the sandbag barrier was underway.

Meanwhile, in Tianjin, local resident Cui Chuanying carefully stepped on scattered stones across a waterlogged road, a large suitcase in one hand while with the other he guided his 10-year-old son, as they prepared to leave their village battered by heavy rains with the help of rescuers.

"We arrived at a speed skating training center in the city's Jizhou district on Friday. Heavy rainfall began on Sunday evening, washing away bridges and cutting off electricity, communication and water supplies," Cui said.

About 20 children, along with their coaches and parents, were trapped at the training facility, he said. "We felt hopeless in the beginning, as all we could do was wait. When we heard this (Tuesday) morning that People's Liberation Army rescuers were coming, we were overjoyed," he said. "Now we know we are safe in their hands."

Cui and his son were among the more than 10,500 residents evacuated from Jizhou.

Lu Chenyang, a PLA soldier and a member of the rescue team sent to the district, said their main tasks were evacuating residents from flooded villages and clearing roads.

"The biggest challenge is the severe road damage. Some sections are completely destroyed, forcing us to rely on small paths, rural trails and temporary routes we cleared ourselves (to evacuate people)," Lu said.

"Since 8 am on Tuesday, our team of 100 soldiers has relocated nearly 600 stranded residents, and we will continue restoring village access," he added.

As the skies cleared around Tuesday afternoon, some residents of Putaoyuan village in Beijing's Miyun district returned home to start cleaning efforts.

Zhang Changqin, a 65-year-old seafood vendor, put on his rain boots and navigated piles of debris to reach his damaged truck that was overturned by floodwaters. He said he planned to repair the vehicle himself instead of filing an insurance claim, so that he could resume business as soon as possible.

"I have experienced earthquakes and floods in the past, but never one this severe," Zhang said. "Nevertheless, I choose to keep a positive mind. Things may look bleak now, but once we rebuild our village, I believe it would become even more beautiful than before."