Central SOEs on the Flooding Frontline in Henan

Central state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have been a main force in ensuring power, communications, oil and gas supplies as well as other necessities amid the heavy rain and flooding in Central China's Henan Province.

Stabilize oil supply

Late in the afternoon on July 20, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec Corp.)'s branch in Henan lost no time in delivering 120 liters of oil after it received an urgent call regarding shortage of power and oil from the Emergency Command Center, which ensured the center's stable operation.

While guaranteeing safety of the affiliated gas stations, Sinopec Corp. selected five gas stations covering all areas from different directions in Zhengzhou, capital city of Henan, to provide oil for disaster relief-related authorities and public use.

By 10 am on July 22, there were 116 gas stations with sufficient oil in Zhengzhou.

Guarantee operation of power facility

Near 500 residential areas in Zhengzhou were impacted with electricity severely damaged by the heavy rain and flooding.

State Grid Corporation of China allocated employees and equipment from its subsidiaries in nearly 20 provincial regions including Anhui, Hubei and Shandong provinces to support emergency power rescue in Henan.

By 5 pm on July 22, three of eight transformer substations out of power had re-started operation and power supply throughout Zhengzhou was expected to return to normal on July 23.

Restore communication device

China's Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system developed by China Mobile Limited and Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Ltd. (AVIC) played a crucial role in restoring communication service in flood-hit areas.

Communication signals were found to have been cut off in several villages in Henan impacted by the extremely heavy rain on July 21. A Wing Loong 2H was immediately deployed to help build an air emergency communication platform.

As of 11:20 am of July 21, more than 3,500 users were connected with base stations.

A view of China's Wing Loong UAV developed by China Mobile and AVIC [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

The Wing Loong 2H UAV system is mainly used in disaster detection, emergency communication support and emergency supply delivery.

With long navigation duration, great carrying capacity and strong environmental suitability, the system is able to provide clear optronic pod images, complete radar data and accurate aerial survey maps, enabling real-time transmission of the on-site audio and video data to the emergency management command center. The Wing Loong 2H UAV is fresh blood in China's emergency disaster relief missions.

Other communication operators also played key roles in restoring communication service amid the flooding.

China Telecom Corporation Limited arranged emergency communication vehicles and power generator vehicles from its subsidiaries in neighboring regions of Henan to support restoration of communication facilities that broke down in the flooding.

China Tower Corporation Limited's subsidiary in Henan quickly sent more than 4,000 employees to the affected areas soon after the flooding occurred. By 11 am on July 22, the company had helped repair nearly 1,500 base stations.

Support hospital restoration and medical treatment

Due to the heavy rains, the tablet, infusion solution and refrigeration storehouses on the lower basement level of Zhengzhou Central Hospital leaked and flooding occurred in the hospital.

Employees at China National Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. (Sinopharm)'s branch in Henan rushed to the leaking sites and transferred drugs, handled the ponding, and watched over the condition of the warehouse together with hospital workers.

On July 21, China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Group Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corporation, urgently dispatched more than 200 employees and allocated 56 sewage pumps, 800 meters of water hose and more than 1,300 sand bags to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zheng University, taking out rescue missions such as draining the water and cleaning and transferring patients and the medical equipment.

The company also sent three large generators to assist power supply to the emergency center at the hospital.

Workers of China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Group Co., Ltd wade through flood waters to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zheng University, shouldering equipment. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

Some tertiary hospitals in Zhengzhou blacked out, affected by the rainstorm. A hospital affiliated to China General Technology (Group) Holding Co Ltd in Henan shared responsibility to treat patients.

By 4 pm on July 21, the emergency department of the hospital had had 22 out-calls and received 10 critical patients, with five trauma patients receiving surgical treatment.

Ensure food supply

Ensuring supply of affordable, high-quality and sufficient food has also been of great concern amid the heavy rain and flooding.

COFCO Corporation now has reserves of 3,740 tons of rice and nearly 10,000 tons of flour in Henan. Its small edible oil packages are enough for local people for 15 to 20 days. Meanwhile, the company strengthened management of purchase procedure and logistics suppliers to stabilize supply, price and quality.

Employees at COFCO Corporation's depot in Xinxiang, Henan, rush to stop water entering a granary. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

(Executive editor: Niu Yilin)