The clean up and relief work are continuing at the scene of last
Friday's flood disaster in northeast China. A flash flood killed at
least 95 children and 4 adults in the town of Shalan in Heilongjiang.
Meanwhile, China's Civil Affairs Bureau has released details of
a compensation package for families of the victims.
At these relief centers, residents of this flooded village queue
up for food and drinking water. The local government has sent over
70 tons of rice and wheat flour, nearly five thousands quilts, and
ten thousands items of clothing to the disaster-hit people.
Up to now, 400 tents have been erected in the flood-hit
township, and five rescue centers have been set up.
Lin Yonggang, director of Mudanjiang City Civil Affairs Bureau,
said, "Since the disaster happened, we have ensured that all of the
villagers have enough food and water to survive. Our relief
supplies can provide for the villagers' needs until the end of
September."
Power and water supplies, which were cut by the flooding, have
been restored.
The local government has organized rescue teams to repair
flooded houses, build new classrooms for students and new houses
for villagers. It plans to move Shalan Township to a less
flood-prone location over the next ten years.
Meanwhile, the official death toll of the floods has risen to
99. The victims include 95 pupils of Shalan Central Primary School
and 4 others. Ten school children are still missing. The families
of each dead child will receive a relief fund of 150,000 yuan
(US$18,000).
(CCTV.com June l6, 2005)