Binjiang Police Affairs-Chapter 1065 - 694: Being Prepared Makes All the Difference (2)

Director Ge stood up and walked to the map of the water area, looking at the winding Jingjiang River on it, and pondered, "We can organize rescue and construction technical personnel to take law enforcement boats to 'patrol' the river, just like when we faced the third flood peak. If there's danger, they can quickly go and assess the situation, develop a rescue plan on-site, and start construction as soon as the main force arrives."

It must be admitted, going to assess the situation first is better than rushing into rescue operations blindly.

Old Wang thought Director Ge made sense, but he asked in confusion, "You could tell Salted Fish directly, why are you telling me this?"

"What's the rush? I haven't finished yet."

Old Ge returned to his desk, pulled out his chair and sat down, saying nonchalantly, "Secretary Ye and Director Ren from the City Committee Office are flying directly from East Sea to Jingzhou. Their plane will probably land around two in the afternoon, and I'll have Minister Li pick them up at the airport."

It's no secret that Secretary Ye is coming for a visit, but is it interesting to talk about it?

Old Wang was puzzled, then Old Ge changed the topic: "Salted Fish is both a command officer and a technical person, so he'll definitely lead the team to 'patrol' the river and might even be in charge of one group. When Mayor Qin and Deputy Division Commander Tao wake up, ask if they want to join Salted Fish on this patrol."

"And then?"

"I think they'll definitely be interested. Quickly find them two sets of camouflage uniforms and two life jackets. Also, have a reporter from Linghai Daily bring a camera along to take some photos of them on the floodfront."

Having some photos from the floodfront would allow them to brag about having been on the frontline when they return!

Which leader isn't vain? Which leader wouldn't be interested?

Old Wang suddenly realized the gap between himself and Old Ge and understood why Ge could become the Transportation Bureau Director while he remained at the township level.

Old Ge, unaware of Old Wang's thoughts, continued, "The flood peak hasn't arrived yet, and the water level is already this high. Jingzhou is too dangerous. After circling the river, ask Mayor Qin and Deputy Division Commander Tao when and how they plan to go back? Salted Fish will be too busy, so you'll need to help arrange everything."

When Secretary Ye arrives, Vice Mayor Qin and Deputy Division Commander Tao must leave!

If they don't leave, Secretary Ye would no longer be the leader.

A lower official can't overrule a current one. For the Linghai Reserve Camp, Secretary Ye is the real leader; other leaders' positions don't matter unless they are at the level of Vice President L.

Old Wang was suddenly enlightened and admired Old Ge profoundly, immediately saying, "Understood! I'll go find Salted Fish now and then notify Mayor Qin and Deputy Division Commander Tao."

"By the way, inform Mayor Shen that Angong is having a tough time: 300,000 people evacuated, and over 100,000 affected. We still have some relief supplies, so he should come back quickly to comfort them."

"Got it."

Visiting Angong for comfort is partly true. Comfort is indeed needed because Old Ge maintains excellent relations with Angong County's leadership now, but a greater reason for Mayor Shen to return is to greet Secretary Ye.

Having arranged everything, the sound of helicopters could be heard again in the sky.

Since early this morning, the army had used four helicopters from Jingzhou Airport, making trips across the river to Mengxi Embankment, air-dropping life jackets.

Hao Qiusheng exited the office, looking up at the low-flying helicopter, remarking, "Mi-8."

Master Xi followed out, worriedly saying, "I wonder about the situation on the Mengxi Embankment."

"Finding out is easy. Just call Secretary Yuan or County Magistrate Huang, but they're surely busy now, and we shouldn't disrupt their emergency efforts." Old Ge stepped out of the office, pondering, "Even if there's a breach, casualties should be minimal."

"Director Ge, how do you know?"

"There's a difference between being prepared and unprepared, being mobilized and not, having a plan and not having one."

Director Ge gazed across the river, explaining, "First, they were already organizing public evacuations, distributing 'Flood Diversion Transfer Notices' to households the afternoon before last. Yesterday, over 1,600 cadres were dispatched, carrying 'Six-set Four-package' tasks, entering villages, organizing groups, and visiting homes."

Hao Qiusheng curiously asked, "What's 'Six-set Four-package'?"

"It's setting village groups, setting the number of people and livestock for transfer, setting transfer destinations, setting transfer resettlement plans. It ensures the transfer of people to safe areas, guarantees the safety of people and livestock, the living arrangements for those transferred, and post-disaster production recovery. I've seen their transfer notices, detailed to each household — how many people, which route to take, which counterpart family to relocate to, everything clearly marked."

Director Ge paused, continuing, "Moreover, transfers had a principle: prioritizing people over cadres! Each cadre is responsible for one group, the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled go first. Apart from necessary clothing, dry food, and cattle, nothing else is taken.

Before each household left, they opened all doors and windows to help the floodwaters pass through. Valuable collective property was organized by village cadres and moved into the Water-shielding Building by able-bodied young people."

Master Xi pondered and said, "So after the emergency broadcast notification of the Hu Du River breach last night, those village and group-assigned cadres could organize residents to evacuate from the flood." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Yes."

Director Ge nodded and added, "Then there's the material Salted Fish asked Master Xu to compile and analyze, which Secretary Yuan and County Magistrate Huang took very seriously upon receiving the report. The county's emergency office drafted a contingency plan tailored to Angong's actual situation, broadcasting it for public awareness.

Cadres knew where to lead the public in the event of a flood, and citizens who heard the broadcast understood self-rescue and rescue protocols. Villages organized all usable boats, and contingency plans for making rafts from existing lumber were devised for emergencies."

Anzao Dam's breach caught its residents unprepared.

The Pai Zhou Bay breach left people underneath the embankment equally surprised.

Angong was prepared and proactive, even organizing public evacuations, so casualties should indeed be minimal.

Master Xi slightly relaxed, but still wary, he turned and said, "Director Ge, isn't Xiao Xu and Xiao Yu involved in rescue over there? We could call Xiao Xu to inquire."

"Calling Ming Yuan works too."

Old Ge took out his phone, found Xu Mingyuan's number, and dialed directly.

After about twenty seconds, the call connected.

Old Ge urgently asked, "Ming Yuan, what's the situation over there? Have all the residents been evacuated?"

"A lot of residents are still trapped in the Water-shielding Building, on rooftops, and on the dikes. We're assisting local cadres in searching and transferring them. With just our 30 or 40 small boats, it's not enough. The main reliance is on the concrete and wooden ships organized by the local government. The full transfer to safe places will take an estimated two to three days."

"Any casualties among the citizens?"

"None so far. I just helped some residents onto the dikes, and I took the chance to ask county officials. They said they haven't heard of any casualties yet. We are evacuating household by household, verifying if everyone in the house has been brought out."

"That's good. Take care of your safety too."

"Rest assured, Director Ge. The overall situation here is much better than Anzao Dam and Pai Zhou Bay. Village cadres and county and township-level package cadres are all involved in searching for and transferring residents, not just us."

Being prepared indeed makes a difference.

No casualties yet; it's a blessing amidst misfortune.

Old Ge thought further and asked, "How far are you from Yang Liu Village? Do you know their situation there?"

"We're quite far from Yang Liu Village, but I've inquired. The floodwaters haven't reached Yang Liu Village. The county organized thousands overnight to build a separating dike, keeping the floodwaters controlled in the south."

"As long as it hasn't flooded, it seems I don't need to set up a supply point at Yang Liu Village dike for you."

"No need, it's too far and inconvenient, plus, supplies aren't lacking now."

"Not lacking?"

"Truly not lacking. Since 8:30 this morning, rescue and relief supplies have continuously arrived, along with many troops. Even the Changyi Branch of the Armed Police has come over."