Efforts to urgently seal the leak in Yueyang City in Hunan Province failed around 5:48 pm, leading to the embankment breaching.

Initial assessments indicated the breach was approximately 10 metres wide, but it rapidly widened thereafter. By 7pm, the breach had extended to approximately 100 metres wide.

Huarong County swiftly mobilised resources, employing eight trucks for sealing, followed by two sand dredging boats for emergency dredging operations at the breach.

Provincial and municipal experts rushed to the scene to oversee emergency response efforts. Approximately 5,000 residents from six villages and one community near the breach were safely evacuated.

Local officials conducted thorough household checks to ensure no one was left behind, providing full support for their essential needs. Local flood control authorities continue to monitor the embankment’s safety closely to prevent further escalation of the situation.