Rescue site at Ningjia River Scenic Area, Dongwan, Shawan County, Xinjiang.
Twenty-five “hikers” were hiking and camping in the Ningjia River Scenic Area of Dongwan, Shawan County, Xinjiang, when they encountered heavy rainfall at night. The scenic area roads were washed out by floods, and the group was rescued after being stranded for a day and a night.
On July 1, the Shawan County Public Security Bureau Command Center received an alarm call from the county tourism bureau reporting that on June 30, 25 outdoor “hikers” had entered the back mountain of the Ningjia River Scenic Area in Dongwan Town for a hiking and camping trip. Due to a sudden downpour and hailstorm that night, the scenic area roads were washed out by floods, and rescue was needed.
When the police drove to the Ningjia River construction site, construction workers said that all road sections leading to the head of the Ningjia River canal had been washed away by floods, and the only available route required crossing mountains. Led by local herders and guides, the police bypassed the flooded and collapsed bridge sections, trekked over mountains and slopes, and after more than five hours on foot, finally reached the head of the Ningjia River canal. There, they found the stranded “hikers” on the hillside 15 kilometers into the back mountain.
One “hiker” explained that all members of the group were from the Nomad E-Club and Junggar Outdoor Club in Kuytun City. They had set up camp in the back mountain on June 30, and at around 7 p.m. that night, a sudden hailstorm and heavy rain hit the area.
“One of our tents was also washed away by the flood,” the hiker said. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the shuttle bus could not proceed as the roads were blocked by floodwaters, leaving everyone stranded in place without food for a whole day and night.
The herders prepared pilaf for the “hikers.” After eating, under the guidance of the police, the 25 people safely returned to secure areas.