Topic: The second day of flash flood and geological disaster rescue in Yongchuan, Chongqing: air-ground coordinated search and rescue, food and accommodation ensured at shelters

The iron arms of excavators dig repeatedly into mud and boulders, search dogs sniff through the rubble with heads lowered, and drones hover overhead—on the 25th, the second day of rescue operations following flash floods and geological disasters in Yongchuan District, Chongqing, a thorough air-ground search combining probing and digging continued around the clock at the mudslide site in Anxi Village, Chashan Bamboo Sea Street.

From the night of May 23 to the early morning of May 24, Yongchuan District experienced an instantaneous extreme torrential rain, triggering flash floods and geological disasters that resulted in 9 deaths and 11 missing persons. On the 25th, as rescue entered its second day, it was learned at the scene that the district and city had deployed 1,827 rescue personnel, using a comprehensive search method. 42 centralized shelters ensured the basic needs of affected residents, and roads and communication channels were repaired day and night.

On May 25, rescue workers conducted operations at the disaster site in Anxi Village, Chashan Bamboo Sea Street, Yongchuan. (Drone photo)

Drones + slope radar + search dogs: three-dimensional search leaves no gaps

In the severely affected Anxi Village, Chashan Bamboo Sea Street, Yongchuan District, it was observed that mudslide debris had piled up above house windows, with corrugated steel twisted into spiral shapes washed into the river channel. Multiple excavators were carrying out digging operations. A team leader from the China Communications Construction Chongqing National Tunnel Emergency Rescue Team pointed to the rescue area, noting that several houses once stood there but were now leveled to the ground.

At the rescue site, drones cruised at low altitude, transmitting real-time images back, while slope radar continuously monitored ground displacement on the hillside, and safety officers approached to observe hazards. During the detection phase, rescue personnel with search dogs conducted grid searches through the rubble. In the digging phase, multiple large excavators formed a mechanized search group.

A leader from the Chongqing Professional Emergency Rescue Corps West Chongqing Detachment explained that rescuers used a method of “parallel advance, full exposure, and grid search” to ensure no corners or individuals were missed. Simultaneously, drones, safety officers, and slope radar monitored the environment in real time, building a safety line for rescuers and ensuring every rescuer’s safety.

Currently, the district and city have deployed a total of 1,827 rescue personnel, including 460 professional emergency responders, 63 large rescue equipment units, and thousands of items such as assault boats and individual rescue gear.

On May 25, at the Shouyong Primary School shelter in Yongchuan District, medical staff checked the health condition of affected residents. (Photo)

Food, clothing, and medical care available: 42 shelters operate orderly

At the Shouyong Primary School shelter, medical staff were seen examining affected residents resting on camp beds. The bedsides were piled with supplies such as instant noodles, bottled water, and medicine. A deputy director of the Chashan Bamboo Sea Street office, who serves as the head of this shelter, explained that the shelter mainly receives affected residents from Anxi Village and Daqiao Village, ensuring they have food, clothing, clean drinking water, safe temporary accommodation, and timely medical care.

As of 6:00 a.m. on the 25th, Yongchuan District had accommodated 1,113 households (2,141 people), with 389 households (697 people) in centralized shelters and 724 households (1,444 people) in dispersed shelters. A total of 42 centralized shelters have been set up, capable of holding 9,005 people.

In terms of material support, four batches of emergency supplies have been fully delivered, including folding beds, towel blankets, bread, bottled water, rain gear, flashlights, emergency power sources, toilet water, and Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid. Additionally

Anxi Village

Anxi Village, located in Fujian Province, China, is renowned as the birthplace of Tieguanyin, one of China’s most famous oolong teas. The village has a rich tea-growing history dating back to the Tang Dynasty, and it became especially prominent during the Qing Dynasty when the Tieguanyin cultivar was first discovered. Today, Anxi Village remains a cultural and agricultural hub, attracting visitors who wish to explore its tea plantations and traditional tea-making heritage.

Chashan Bamboo Sea Street

Chashan Bamboo Sea Street is a scenic tourist destination in Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China, known for its tranquil bamboo forests and traditional architecture. The area has a long history tied to local tea culture and bamboo craftsmanship, with the street serving as a cultural hub where visitors can explore ancient tea houses and artisan shops. It offers a peaceful retreat into nature while preserving the heritage of the region’s bamboo industry and tea trade.

Shouyong Primary School

Shouyong Primary School is a historic educational institution in China, originally established in the early 20th century. It has served generations of students and is often noted for its traditional architecture and cultural significance within the local community. Over the years, the school has evolved while maintaining its commitment to providing quality education.

Daqiao Village

Daqiao Village is a historic settlement in China, often recognized for its well-preserved traditional architecture and cultural heritage. Its history dates back several centuries, with the village serving as a key stop along ancient trade routes. Today, it is valued for its rural charm and efforts to maintain its historical character.