On July 28, Songkou Ancient Town in Meizhou, Guangdong Province, was left devastated after Typhoon Hongxia passed through the area. As floodwaters that had risen above the warning level receded, they left behind half a meter of mud and debris scattered everywhere. The historic and cultural town, renowned as a “thousand-year-old ancient town,” was in urgent need of cleanup and restoration.
The emergency itself was a call to action. In the afternoon, as the wind and rain eased slightly, a 25-member emergency response team organized by the Meizhou Regional Project Department of China Railway Guangzhou Engineering Group arrived at the hardest-hit core area of the old town carrying various types of desilting equipment. “Wherever the challenge is greatest, that is where we go!” At the command of the site leader, the workers in reflective vests immediately spread out and got to work.
Inside the old streets, large machinery could not be effectively deployed, so the members of the emergency response team became the most direct tools themselves. The scraping sound of shovels against stone slabs, the forceful spray of high-pressure water jets, and the rhythmic calls of the workers blended together. Faced with foul odors and high temperatures, no one flinched. Confronted with the heavy layers of mud, the team members took turns working. After several hours of carpet-style cleanup, one convenient passage after another was cleared, restoring access throughout the old streets.
“The colleagues from China Railway Guangzhou Engineering Group have done an outstanding job. They came quickly and worked efficiently!” As the streets gradually returned to normal, local residents gave the team a thumbs-up. The operation not only demonstrated the strength and capabilities of a centrally administered state-owned enterprise in responding to urgent, difficult, and demanding tasks, but also highlighted the close bond and solidarity between the company and the local community in overcoming challenges together. Going forward, the project department will continue to follow up on the restoration of Songkou’s old streets and remain committed to protecting this vibrant community, rich with the sights and sounds of everyday life.
