Rescuers transfer stranded residents in Pingjiang county, central China's Hunan Province, July 2, 2024. The flooding water in Pingjiang county is gradually declining. Photo: Xinhua

A city in Central China's Hunan Province has experienced particularly heavy rainfall, causing severe flooding. Two local food companies told the Global Times on Wednesday they have temporarily closed, but the losses are manageable and they will resume operations soon.

At midnight on Monday, the water level at the Pingjiang watch station on the Miluo River in Pingjiang county in Yueyang, Central China's Hunan Province, reached 77.67 meters, the highest since 1954. Most local businesses have temporarily shut down due to the rain, according to industrial observers.

Among them, Jinzai Food Group Co and Malawangzi Co, two well-known local companies, explained how they are coping with the disaster.

"Our industrial park in Pingjiang was not flooded, but the water supply was interrupted due to equipment issues. The factory has initiated an emergency plan, bringing forward the routine mid-month equipment maintenance. Production line workers are temporarily on leave until the weekend," a representative from Jinzai Group told the Global Times on Wednesday.

"Given our large end-of-month shipments, market supply will remain stable despite some delays in online orders. Once the water supply is restored, we'll ramp up production to meet demand," he added.

Since most of the factory staff are from Pingjiang and surrounding areas, many of their families have been affected by the disaster, according to the representative. "We are currently assessing the situation of the affected employees' families and will provide assistance based on their needs. This afternoon, the company will begin offering support and relief efforts," he said.

Another representative from Malawangzi, which is known for producing spicy snacks, said the flood had had a significant impacts.

The factory halted operations for two days due to water supply interruptions and transportation issues. As floodwaters recede and emergency water becomes available, the factory has begun resuming operations. Two workshops are back in production, and full operations are expected within a week. The company will ensure safety while quickly restoring production, the representative said.

According to the Pingjiang government, there have been widespread donations from all sectors of society. Among them, Jinzai Food Group Co and Hunan Malawangzi Co each donated 1 million yuan (approximately $140,000).

Several towns in Pingjiang have been severely flooded, causing landslides, road disruptions and collapsed buildings. Continuous heavy rainfall has led to significant waterlogging in the central urban area. By Tuesday, the disaster had affected 364,582 people, destroyed 2,685 bridges and roads, and damaged 2,415 houses, according to Hunan Daily.