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CHINA: MILLIONS OF PEOPLE DISPLACED BY FLOODS

Mandarin/Nat

China's government says destruction wrought by massive flooding in the Yangtze river valley over the last two months may have cost the county as much as 24 (b) billion U-S dollars.

The flooding has displaced tens of millions of people, and destroyed more than 20 million hectares of farmland.

China's state statistics bureau says economic growth has been slowed by the flooding, and autumn grain yields are also expected to be affected.

One of the worst affected areas is northern Hunan province on the middle reaches of the swelling Yangtze river.

On July 24th this dike in northern Hunan province suddenly burst, unleashing a tide of flood waters that inundated more than 800 square kilometres of land.

Superhuman efforts by soldiers and local peasants have succeeded in stemming the flood at least temporarily.

In one attempt to plug the dikes soldier packed three river barges with dynamite and then sunk them in the breach.

The prow of one can still be seen where it came to rest atop the ruins of a submerged factory.

Tens of thousands of local residents have been forced to flee their homes -- many of which have been totally destroyed by the rushing torrents.

The waters roared in so fast that many escaped only with the clothes on their backs.

SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
It was at night so we couldn't see anything. We heard the sound of the water and we were very scared. We immediately ran on to the dike and didn't dare to come back down. We have lost everything.
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop

The flood waters are now starting to slowly subside, and local officials say they are hopeful the situation will begin to stabilise.

SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
The latest flood surge is not as great as the one that destroyed the dike, so protecting this area from further flooding should be a little easier that before.
SUPER CAPTION: He Xuehua, Director, Civil Affairs Bureau, Anxiang County

With virtually no high ground in the area to flee to, the top of the dike is virtually the only refuge.

This encampment stretches for 30 kilometres along the top of the embankment.

Refugees put a brave face on their plight, and say they are grateful for aid which has reached them so far.

SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin dialect)
The government gives us half a kilo of rice everyday, as well as cooking oil, salt, some clothes and fire wood.
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop

Large quantities of disaster relief have been pouring in from all over China and abroad.

This is one of the first areas to receive tents, water containers and other materials from a USAid shipment that arrived on Tuesday.

But the aid is just to help villagers rebuild their lives.

The larger cost will be rebuilding small and large businesses across the flood affected area.

This factory, which used to produce vegetable oil, is one of thousands that have been ruined.

Local officials say they will have to start from scratch to rebuild this operation and many, many others.

SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
Apart from a few houses we managed to protect, all of the other property has been completely destroyed, all in one go. All is gone, the roads, the industry, the crops, ordinary people's belongings.
SUPER CAPTION: Ho Zhengwu, Anzhang Township Chief

By the government's own estimates the flood destruction will cost China well over 20 (b) billion U-S dollars.

Many villagers say it will cost that -- or more -- to rebuild millions of shattered lives.

In a country where Chairman Mao championed a code of self-reliance, and with the current government facing the strains of economic hardships sweeping Asia, some wonder where the money will come from.



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