(Clearwisdon.net)
[Editors' note: Throughout history, the theme that a nation's fate is closely tied to the virtue of its leaders and people has been prevalent in both Chinese and Western culture and lore. Many wise, virtuous rulers have led their nations to peace and prosperity, while conversely, moral decay in high places has led to the downfall of great empires. These articles are meant to serve as a reminder and wake-up call for those who are leading or participating in large-scale acts of violence and injustice. As Teacher Li Hongzhi said in Essentials for Further Advancement, "When people do not have virtue, natural calamities and man-made disasters will abound."]
Voice of America, July 30: Unusually severe flooding in the province of Xinjiang, in Northwest China, has affected fifteen counties. Floods have destroyed thousands of homes and tens of thousands of people have been affected. In Baicheng County, fifteen people died and at least seven are missing. The direct economic loss is at least 200 million dollars.
The Xinjiang region is usually dry, and rainstorms are rare. The region mainly depends on the melting of ice, snow and glaciers for water; therefore there are few facilities to prevent flooding. Currently the water levels of twenty rivers in the region have passed their flood-warning levels, and seven are at their highest in recorded history. Many areas in China have suffered unusual floods this summer. About 800 people have died. The affected population in the disaster area has reached 100 million, and the flooding has caused huge economic losses.
