In the remote reaches of the northern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, the villagers of Garisenani have long grappled with harsh winters that freeze their wells solid, leaving them without a reliable water supply. For generations, accessing clean water during the frigid months was a constant struggle, impacting daily life and stunting the village’s development.
Enter Chen Jianchao, head of the Amdo County Rural Drinking Water Management Station. Witnessing the community’s hardships firsthand, Chen was determined to find a lasting solution. Rallying a team of skilled drillers, he embarked on an ambitious project: breaking through the permafrost to tap into deep underground water reserves.
“The permafrost here is thick and unforgiving,” Chen explains. “But we knew that beneath it lay the key to solving the village’s water crisis.” The team faced formidable challenges, from extreme cold to navigating the plateau’s rugged terrain. Using specialized drilling equipment capable of operating in sub-zero temperatures, they methodically bored through layers of ice and earth.
After months of painstaking work, their efforts bore fruit. They reached untapped aquifers, unleashing a steady flow of fresh water. For the first time, Garisenani Village has a reliable year-round water supply. The impact was immediate and profound. Children no longer have to trek long distances in search of water, and households can focus on farming and other economic activities without the constant worry of water scarcity.
“Seeing the smiles on the villagers’ faces makes all the challenges worthwhile,” says Chen. The success of the project has sparked interest from neighboring communities facing similar issues. Plans are underway to replicate this model across the plateau, potentially transforming the lives of thousands.
Chen remains humble about his role. “This was a collective effort,” he notes. “It shows what can be achieved when we work together to overcome nature’s obstacles.”
Garisenani Village now stands as a testament to ingenuity and perseverance in the face of adversity, a beacon of hope for remote communities across the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and beyond.
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Drilling team breaks through permafrost to restore water supply
cgtn.com
