The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has formed 19 special
units to fight floods in case of emergency.
This was done because it was found that it was difficult for troops
without special skills and equipment to deal with the torrential
floods, sources say.
The special units consist of engineering troops who are armed with
advanced technology and equipment, according to PLA sources.
The officers and soldiers in these troops wear red arm-bands
decorated with a pick axe and oar and the letters KHYJ -- the
initials of the Chinese name given to the troops.
The troops will be responsible for anti-flooding activities along
seven major rivers including the Yangtze, Yellow, Huai,
Hai,Songhua-Liao, Pearl and Min Rivers.
The army has played a major role in minimizing the losses from
floods. Over the past dozen years, PLA officers and soldiers have
been involved in rescue activities during the flood season and
offered help to over 10 million flood victims, according to
official figures.
In
the summer of 1998, 300,000 PLA officers and men worked withlocal
people to overcome the devastating floods in major river areas.
(Xinhua News
Agency June 12, 2002)