The Great Evacuation from a Small Island

2020 is proving to be an extraordinary year. In early January, the COVID-19 pandemic swept across China. It forced most sectors to a standstill and all borders were closed off. In Jiangxi Province, many could not go out to work for more than two months. In July, rainstorms flooded lakes, caused flash floods along the Yangtze River and wiped out farmland and their crops. Families that are still recovering from the blow of the COVID-19 pandemic are plunged once again into another devastating disaster.

At the middle of a narrow tributary off the Yangtze River, sits a small island. From above, it looks like a boat floating between Anhui and Jiangxi Province. Six-year-old twin brothers, Xiaoting and Xiaopeng, lives on this quaint little island.

Since early July, continuous rainstorms raised an alarm in southern parts of China. Jiangxi Province is among regions worst-hit by flash floods and overflowing lakes. Xiaoting and Xiaopeng's home is put in danger as water level on the island rises. At one point, it even exceeded the danger level by three meters. In many places, water stirs dangerously only a meter below the threshold. Houses and farmland by the coast are submerged in water. Another rainstorm or a rush of water from the upstream of Yangtze River would engulf this little boat-like island. Evacuation is the only option to ensure the safety of everyone.

"All of our farmland is covered in water." said the twins' grandmother sadly. Xiaoting and Xiaopeng have been living with their grandparents since they were young while their father works at another area. This flood has caused huge losses for the family. The elderly couple has yet to consider recovering their agricultural production, and is already facing the prospect that they may also lose their home.    

In the early morning of the 13th July, Xiaoting and Xiaopeng's family received a notice to evacuate the following day. This small island will be hit by rainstorms again and the local government immediately arranged to transfer nearly 6,000 residents- those above 65 years old and below 16 years old, as well as people with reduced mobility, off the island. After receiving the notice, their grandmother quickly packed some necessities, water and the twin's summer homework, and took the two boys to the dock to wait for the boat. They will take stay at a temporary shelter set up by the government. Their grandfather is staying behind on the island. If their house is hit by flood, he could shift some of their household items to safety to minimize their losses and try to protect their home. 

"I don't know when we can go back," said the twin's grandmother. "Our farmland is already flooded and our house might also be flooded. What will we do about food and daily necessities when we return?" Her two little grandsons are oblivious to her worries. Clad in red t-shirts, they snug close to her and look calmly at everything that is happening around them, occasionally, they run to the side of the boat to look as the boat sails toward land. (Article written by Li Yunqing and Lu Zhenyan)

World Vision staff interviews Xiaoting and Xiaopeng's grandmother about the flood situation at their home.

With the help of the government, Xiaoting and Xiaopeng's grandmother evacuated from the island where their home is.

From the boat, many empty buildings are seen flooded under water.