Between July 25 and July 28, Shenyang recorded an average rainfall of 241.6mm, with the heaviest area in Liaozhong District experiencing a staggering 556.1mm. The maximum hourly rainfall peaked at 82.4mm. Combined with the upstream discharge from the Pu River and Hun River, this resulted in severe flooding in key vegetable production areas including Ma Sanjia Street in Yuhong District, Fahaniu Town and Damin Tuan Town in Xinmin City, and several towns in Liaozhong District.
These areas, home to significant greenhouse vegetable cultivation, have seen devastating impacts. Most greenhouses have been submerged for over three days, leading to the collapse of some structures and substantial damage to planted seedlings. Consequently, greenhouses scheduled for new planting at the end of July will face delays of about a month, pushing replanting efforts to late August.
Expert-Led Emergency Service and Recovery Efforts
On July 29, experts from the Liaoning workstation of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences’ Vegetable Industry Specialist Team conducted on-site investigations in the affected areas. They observed extensive flooding damage, including soil wall and greenhouse collapses. To address these challenges, the expert team provided a comprehensive set of technical guidelines focusing on disaster prevention, mitigation, and recovery:
- Ensuring Greenhouse Safety: Structural assessments and reinforcements to prevent further collapses.
- Timely Drainage: Immediate water removal to prevent prolonged submersion of crops.
- Facility Repair and Strengthening: Repairing damaged structures and enhancing resilience against future floods.
- Soil Moisture Management: Techniques to reduce soil moisture and improve conditions for replanting.
- Plant Care: Specialized care for flood-affected plants to boost recovery.
- Pest and Disease Control: Preventative measures to protect weakened crops from outbreaks.
- Urgent Replanting and Harvesting: Strategies to quickly replant and harvest crops to mitigate economic losses.
Government and Farmer Collaboration
The expert team is working closely with the Shenyang Agricultural and Rural Affairs Bureau to implement these guidelines, providing technical support to both the government and local farmers. This collaborative effort aims to ensure a swift and efficient recovery, minimizing the long-term impacts on Shenyang’s agricultural productivity.
The flood disaster in Shenyang highlights the vulnerability of agricultural systems to extreme weather events. However, the rapid response by vegetable industry experts and the implementation of targeted recovery strategies demonstrate a robust framework for disaster resilience. By leveraging expert knowledge and fostering strong government-farmer cooperation, Shenyang’s agricultural sector is poised to recover and rebuild stronger, paving the way for future sustainability and resilience.
