The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and armed police have evacuated more than 2,000 people in flood-hit areas in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in a 40-hour rescue operation.

Torrential rains hit three townships in Nilka and Gongliu counties in the Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Ili on June 5.

In response, the PLA garrison and armed police dispatched nearly 1,000 men and officers to the flood-affected areas. As of Sunday morning, they had rescued 460 people stranded by floods, evacuated 2,000 others and retrieved a lot of goods from floodwaters. They have also distributed grain, clothing and tents to those in need.

The PLA soldiers and armed police also joined local militiamen in reinforcing river embankments and assisting local residents in building new houses.

(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2003)