National Highway G109 follows the Yongding River, which runs through the mountainous areas of Mentougou District on Beijing's western outskirts. From July 29 to August 2, Beijing was hit by a catastrophic flood, with Mentougou receiving an average precipitation of 538.1 mm. The massive flood submerged parts of the highway, leaving many villages unable to contact the outside world.

Disaster relief operations began soon after. Damaged roads were swiftly repaired, with highway management, electric power, communication and water supply returning to normal. The highway was returned to working order within a week, allowing much needed services to reach the flood-affected villages.

On August 21, along G109, the imprints of the flood were still visible on both sides of the river. Vegetation and farmland by the river had been destroyed, with mud and fallen trees strewn everywhere. Some sections of the highway were demolished by landslides, so a temporary road was built on one side of the original road, and many construction vehicles roared back and forth.

Dingjiatan Village was cut off from the outside world when the flood first hit and the half of the village closest to the Yongding River was completely destroyed. Thanks to measures taken by the villagers, there were no casualties. In addition to all the houses and farmland along the river, several plant nurseries and half of the vehicle charging piles in a tourist service center were buried in mud. Heavy machinery continued to work there to restore normalcy.

Wangping Town was also hit hard by the flood. Nearly three weeks after the flood receded, the smell of silt and debris still lingered in the streets. Members of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, part of China's armed forces tasked with guarding important sites and events, counterterrorism, disaster relief and other missions, were working to clear the silt. Telecom staff were reinstalling communication lines, and local residents had returned home from emergency accommodation. Volunteers set up stalls on the roadside, providing drinking water and food for relief teams and local residents. 

(Text and photos by Wei Yao)

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson

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