The deputy secretary knew they were working hard and that they weren't complaining, so he smiled kindly, patted them on the shoulder, and ushered them out of the office.
"We've laid out mattresses and blankets for you on the third floor, and also prepared some convenience foods. It's a bit basic, but these are special circumstances, so please make do."
After the young people left, the county head, deputy county head, and secretary Liu stayed in the office. Afang knew that they had also received hydrological researchers early in the morning and gone to Poyang Lake to collect data. His hard work was no less than theirs.
"Several high-ranking leaders have been busy since midnight, why aren't you resting?" Afang asked.
The county head gave a wry smile and said, "How could that be? Right now, the researchers are collecting data. The people from the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters will be here soon, and there's another flood control meeting this afternoon. I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep tonight."
"Young comrades, I heard you also arrived at Poyang Lake very early this morning? That's quite an enthusiastic start!"
"The first flood peak appeared in Poyang Lake yesterday morning. It was only reported on the news that evening, and it arrived the next morning. Your response was really quick."
Chen Dong knew there was something more to his words. He clearly suspected that they, as businessmen, had ulterior motives in providing supplies to Poyang Lake. Now was a critical time for flood control. Although the county magistrate had openly and covertly questioned him, Chen Dong did not want to argue with him.
"Actually, our boss said back in February that there was a possibility of a major flood in China in June."
A Fang defended Chen Dong, saying, "The boss even specifically sought out Old Lin beforehand and told him where major floods might occur."
"However, at first, neither Mr. Lin nor the expert group believed him, and when the expert group first made the flood prediction model, the model showed an optimistic situation."
"At the boss's insistence, Mr. Lin formed a second expert group to conduct hydrological surveys in the three major river basins of the Yangtze River, Nenjiang River, and Songhua River, and re-established the flood prediction model. This led to everyone's preparations for flood prevention and control in the previous months."
Her words aroused even greater curiosity about Chen Dong.
"He knew about what happened in June back in February?" Secretary Liu looked at Chen Dong in disbelief. "How did you know?"
Chen Dong smiled bitterly, thinking that he couldn't very well bring up the catastrophic flood he had experienced in later generations and explain it to them.
“Last winter and this spring, the rainfall and typhoons in the entire Yangtze River basin were much more frequent than in previous years. Moreover, last winter was very cold. I think the permafrost in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River will definitely melt by summer. At that time, the rainfall and glacial meltwater will likely increase the flood crisis in the basin.”
Chen Dong held a cup of hot tea and took a sip as if he were doing it properly. "At that time, I thought that there was a high possibility of a major flood in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River."
"As for the Nenjiang and Songhua Rivers, those should be speculations made by the expert group based on data."
The county magistrate's expression turned serious. "Poyang Lake is just the first line of defense against this massive flood. Our location is somewhat better than that downstream. However, if the 14 fish dikes of Poyang Lake, the several major rivers, and the 30 reservoirs of the two major lake systems cannot control the flood peak, we may suffer next week."
When the matter was brought up, the deputy county head had a different opinion: "In my opinion, we are also victims of the flood. The reservoir built at Hukou Station was originally intended to regulate flood peaks. We can't leave all the floodwaters within our jurisdiction."
......
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