If the weather forecasts are accurate, the worst is yet to come
for the central and southern areas of China.
The seasonal human migration tides have revealed the
vulnerability of our public transport network. From across the
country, the foremost concern at the moment is how to deal the
crowds gathering at all major venues of public transit, be they
railway stations, airports, or long-distance bus stations.
No matter how far they may drift away from traditional values,
most of our compatriots remain sentimentally attached to the rich
and highly symbolic lunar New Year's Eve dinner at home.
That the devastating snowfalls in the central and southern
provinces have yet to dampen the fervent longing for a ticket home
not only means extra hardship to get home, but will put more
pressure on the fragile local passenger transport networks which
have either be stretched to their extremes, or simply are in
paralysis.
But this seems only the very beginning of a very vicious circle.
In some areas of the most severely hit regions, like Guizhou and
Hunan provinces, it has already affected local transport, power,
and the supply of some essential goods.
Changsha, capital of the central Hunan province, has reported
brownouts. In Wuhan, the Hubei capital, more than 100,000
households have reportedly lost access to running water.
The most unnerving news comes from Leishan, Guizhou province,
which has virtually lost transport links with the outside. Local
stocks of food and daily necessities have been in short supply for
days.
A silver lining to all this remains beyond sight - the national
meteorological authorities have warned of further snowstorms in the
next few days in the disaster areas.
So we will have to prepare for a worst case scenario.
Emergency responses so far have been quick, sensible, and
efficient. Information release, transient transport arrangements
and corresponding mobilization work have all proceeded swiftly and
orderly. This has worked effectively in preventing chaos and
panic.
But the immediate next step will prove more challenging. With
much of the transport web disrupted, it will be difficult to have
relief materials delivered where they are most needed.
But that should be an overriding priority in the entire disaster
relief program.
(China Daily January 30, 2008)