People's Liberation Army Rocket Force soldiers transfer to children to safe places in floods-ravaged Weihui of Xinxiang, Central China's Henan on Thursday. Photo: cnsphoto

At least 56 people were killed in the downpour and floods in Central China's Henan as of Friday and the rain-induced torrents still threaten Xinxiang and Hebi cities after the Weihe River and several reservoirs breached and overflowed, submerging fields and stranding villagers. 

At least 495,000 people were temporarily evacuated, and 529,000 were relocated by the government, the provincial government said at Friday's press conference. 

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Central Theater Command has dispatched 25,000 soldiers, armed police and militiamen to Henan. They are rushing against the clock to transfer people trapped by rising floodwaters. 

China State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters coordinated a team of water resources, emergency management and health ministries on Friday to oversee flood response in Xinxiang.  

Xinxiang residents and flood control forces tried to close breaches of the Weihe River banks by placing truckloads of stones, but the water current was so strong that it overflowed to neighboring villages early morning.  

The Global Times tried to get to the hardest-hit counties in Xinxiang on Thursday morning, but was informed that the situation was so severe that teams without boats can no longer get in. Power outages and downed communications also severely hindered rescue work.

The Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a second group of firefighters from eight provinces to help in rescue efforts. 

The ministry also allocated 55 boats, fuel and 1,000 life jackets, the most needed equipment, to support the frontline.  

Two sets of powered floating bridges, which can evacuate 450 people at a time, were deployed and gave hope to the stranded. Such equipment is one of the most advanced water rescue facilities that can adapt to complicated situations. 

A woman who said she was evacuated from a village in Xinxiang Thursday said online that the floods were horrifying, and thought she would die. "I cannot describe my feelings when the armed police came to me," the villager said. 

On Friday noon, floodwaters were diverted to Liuweipo where residents had been previously evacuated. The move would ease the pressure of some Xinxiang counties that were flooded when Weihe burst. 

People's Liberation Armed Police help clean a hangar for subway trains in Zhengzhou, Central China's Henan Province on Friday, after the city was flooded due to record downpours. Photo: Li Hao/GT

Zhengzhou, the first to face this round of downpours, is accelerating its pace in resuming normal life. 

The remaining water in the Jingguang Tunnel, which was inundated for more than 70 hours, is expected to be cleaned by late Friday or Saturday, the Global Times learned. Debris on the two ends of the tunnel were cleaned and more deaths have been confirmed. 

On Wednesday when the Global Times reporters arrived in the floods-ravaged city, Zhengzhou was soaked in water, but the city was basically cleaned up on Friday. About half of street-side businesses reopened as electricity and communications returned on Friday. 

"There was no place to eat two days ago but now, I can finally use Alipay again to buy food and drinks. Great to return to civilization," a city resident said.