China's northernmost province tackles flooding challenges

In Harbin, the provincial capital, floods had affected 135,430 residents, forcing 53,355 individuals to relocate as of 4 p.m. Friday. The cities of Shangzhi and Wuchang, administered by Harbin, are severely affected by the inundation.

In Shangzhi, Harbin's forest fire brigade has dispatched 654 personnel and 72 vehicles to the main urban area and other regions to reinforce levees and evacuate stranded residents.

So far, they have successfully rescued nearly 400 people and 170 vehicles, and have transported more than 15,000 sets of supplies. They have also reinforced levees over a distance of 850 meters and filled over 17,500 sandbags.

"Putting people first is the essence of disaster relief. No matter how arduous or dangerous the situation may be, we must do everything we can to safeguard the lives and property of the people," said Zhang Libo, deputy commander of the brigade.

In Wuchang, temporary shelters have been set up to accommodate evacuated residents.

Chen Lihua, principal of Yachen Middle School in Wuchang, said that on Thursday, the school campus was transformed into a flood relief center in as little as three hours. Around 40 school staff have volunteered to help organize the evacuees, register them and allocate rooms.

One of the affected residents, Chen Shifen, from Xinxing Village in Wuchang, sought shelter at the school. She left her home after receiving the notice to evacuate.

"There were buses to pick us up, and I simply packed up and left," she recalled.

Though anxious at first, she found comfort in reuniting with familiar faces from her village and witnessing the hard work of the staff at the relief center. "I feel secure and warm," she said.