Recent heavy rainfall in southern China has caused a breach in the dam of Dongting Lake in Tuanzhou, Huarong County, Yueyang City, Hunan Province. Local authorities attempted to block the breach using trucks loaded with sand but failed, leading to the dam’s collapse, which has raised questions among internet users. As top Chinese Communist Party officials issued instructions following the dam breach, a leaked document titled “Muzzle Order” began circulating online.
According to reports from CCTV, as of 11:00 on July 6th, there was a 0.10-meter difference in water levels inside and outside the breach, which spans 226 meters.
Media in mainland China reported that the water levels inside and outside the breach have now equalized, and the flow of water has become more gentle. Preparations for the sealing of the breach have been completed, and the repair work is currently underway. The left bank has advanced 3 meters into the breach, while the right bank is still working on fortification, with an estimated project timeline of around 4 days.
On the evening of July 5th around 16:00, there was a critical situation with water gushing from a pipeline at the first-line dam in Tuanzhou Embankment, Huarong County, Yueyang City, Hunan Province. By 17:48, after a failed emergency sealing attempt, the dam collapsed, and initial surveys indicated the breach to be approximately 10 meters wide. By 19:00, the breach had extended to around 100 meters in width.
Aerial footage shared by internet users showed that by 9:00 on July 6th, vast areas of villages and farmlands had been submerged by the lake water. Where the flood reached, it was a vast expanse of water, with most houses almost completely submerged. Apart from some villagers who evacuated overnight, their belongings were all soaked in water, and the exact number of casualties and livestock losses remains unknown.
Video footage shared by netizens depicted that during the initial breach of the dam at Dongting Lake, local authorities used trucks filled with sand to block the breach, but the efforts were ineffective as the breach continued to expand.
A resident named Wang Jian (alias) from Huarong County told the Southern Metropolis Daily that around 14:00 yesterday, he received a call from his uncle and brother living across the river, asking him to quickly come over to help move things. He packed blankets and food, filling two cars with belongings.
Wang Jian mentioned that around 16:00, many trucks were brought in to block the breach. The trucks were loaded with rocks and sand, but “the effect was not good; the water kept seeping through from both sides.”
In response, mainland Chinese netizens expressed skepticism:
“The use of banners during crisis rescue, and yet some integrated media outlets are concerned about the quality of the photos.”
“Deceptive subsidy.”
“Watching several trucks filled with sand trying to block the breach makes you want to curse people.”
“That newly graduated deputy township mayor commanding to block the breach with scattered sand.”
“Floods cannot be blocked, only relieved by drainage. This is basic common sense!”
“Generally, when a dam faces a pipe gushing situation, it means the dam body has already loosened. It is not just about blocking the gushing pipe, but also piling up large sandbags on the outside to support the dam.”
“Trucks blocking floodwaters – a waste that leads to regret.”
On July 6th, official media reported the “Minister of Water Resources rushing to the front line of the breach” and the arrival of the first batch of armed police, as well as instructions for rescue from the top leaders of the Chinese Communist Party.
At the same time, news surfaced online about a red-headed document issued by the local official Flood and Drought Control Headquarters of Huarong County on the day of the breach (July 5th), titled “Notice on Canceling Leave for All Public Officials in the County and Prohibiting Individuals from Releasing Information to the Public.”
The document stated: “All public officials in the county must cancel their leave and cannot accept media interviews without authorization. No one should release information to the public; official announcements are to be regarded as the definitive information.”
This document made its way to an overseas platform, where netizens commented, “They find it easier to just shut people up!”