The Daxian village in Xingtai city was nearly wiped out when it was suddenly swamped by a flash flood in the early hours of Wednesday as villagers were asleep. Photos circulating online show dramatic images of drowned children lying in mud.
Angry villagers have questioned authorities if they failed to notify them in time for evacuation when an upstream reservoir discharged floodwater. Authorities blamed a failure of a river levee for the sudden water surge.
The financial media Caixin reported on Saturday said the river narrowed near the village, and a severe blockage because of a utility construction forced the floodwater to surge over the river banks and rush through the village.
More about:
-1780923278.jpg&h=190&w=280&zc=1&q=100)
