After 25 days of disruption caused by flood-triggered geological disasters, the Baoji-Chengdu Railway, a crucial railway line in western China, has resumed service as of Saturday.
Heavy rainstorms on July 16 and 17 lashed Baoji City in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, leading to over 70 disasters along various sections of the railway that connects Baoji with Chengdu, the capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The Anhe Bridge, a vital section of the railway, was brought down by floods on July 17.
In the aftermath, all train services on the Baoji-Chengdu Railway were canceled or diverted to alternative routes, causing significant disruptions to both passenger and freight transportation in the region.
In response to the crisis, China Railway Xi’an Bureau Group Co., Ltd. launched an emergency repair operation. Workers were dispatched alongside heavy machinery, including excavators and cranes, to repair the damaged tracks and structures. The concerted efforts led to the successful restoration of the railway line.
Originally commencing operation in 1958 as the country’s first electrified railway, the Baoji-Chengdu Railway winds through mountainous terrain with a designed maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour. It serves as a vital artery for both freight and passenger trains, playing a significant role in the economic connectivity of western China.
The resumption of services is expected to normalize transportation and bolster economic activities in the affected regions, providing relief to businesses and communities relying on this key infrastructure.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
