Fighting floods at China's largest freshwater lake

Responsibility of a CPC member

As an official, another important task for Yu is to evacuate local villagers, which he said is not easy.

"When the water reaches the warning level, we need to enhance patrolling, but when it exceeds the guaranteed level, villagers need to evacuate."

But many locals simply did not want to move.

"In Yangjiachang Village, most people are elderly, women, and children," Yu said. "Many senior people did not want to move because they wanted to look after their belongings, or because they did not have friends or relatives to turn to once they relocated."

Some elderly people refused to move because they underestimated the risks, believing the embankment patrollers would keep them safe.

"So we asked those willing to move to help persuade those who were reluctant," Yu said. "We also asked their children to talk them out of the danger."

The method worked, and the villagers have all relocated to a resettlement in the city.

Yu said the battle against the floods is the toughest in recent years because the water level at Poyang Lake reached a historic high.

"I think the flood season will last until early or mid-August," he said. "As a Party member and a government official, it is my duty to safeguard people's lives."

"We will continue to make every effort to win the battle against the floods," he said.