Xinhua News Agency, Changchun, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Reporter's note: A new life in a newly opened village.
Xinhua News Agency reporter Ma Xiaocheng.
If it weren't for the big tree that was washed away by the flood, covered with snow, it would have been difficult for the reporter to recognize that this was Xinkai Village, Kaiyuan Town, which he had visited dozens of times during the flood.
In August 2023, Shulan City, Jilin Province, was hit by continuous rainfall, which caused damage in many places, and Xinkai Village in Kaiyuan Town was one of the most affected areas during the floods. The cold wave of the past few days has swept in, and the once turbulent river has been frozen by the severe cold. According to the locals, the minimum temperature here is close to minus 30.
Xinkai Village was severely affected during the flood due to its proximity to the river and low terrain. The reporter remembers that arm-thick branches were broken by the floodwaters, and cars were even washed up on the roofs. This small village is the only one in Shulan City that has been relocated in its entirety after the flood.
Newly opened village of reconstruction photographed in November. (Provided by Shulan City Media Center).
Approaching New Year's Day, the reporter returned to Xinkai Village, which has completely changed, the devastation of the past has disappeared, replaced by neat and neat rebuilt houses.
The reporter followed the smell of cooking smoke and walked into a house.
Have we seen each other somewhere?That's right, it's the settlement ......The reporter came to the new home of Xu Zhongren, who had been interviewed during the flood.
Images from the flood season recorded in the phone of the elderly Xu Zhongren. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ma Xiaocheng.
Pictures of memories reappeared in my mind: at the resettlement site, the old man Xu Zhongren's eyes were red and showed a trace of unease. She told reporters at the time that her house had been washed away by the floods and she was so anxious that she didn't sleep well for two days.
Not long after the reporter entered the house, a warm current rushed up.
Take off your coat quickly, it's hot in the house, and you can't wear thick clothes. Xu Zhongren said.
What's the matter, isn't it particularly warm, the floor is warm!Warm also saves money. Speaking of the new house, the old man Xu Zhongren was full of happiness. On the day the new house was first built, she walked around the floor of the new house several times before the furniture came in. "I'm so excited, I have a home again!Everything in the old house was washed away, and the town and village helped to prepare sofas, TVs, water heaters, and washing machines, all of which were complete. She said.
The new home of the old man Xu Zhongren. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ma Xiaocheng.
Liang Hongwei, the mayor of Kaiyuan Town, who is visiting the new houses in Xinkai Village, told reporters that in the past few days, more than 20 villagers will move to new houses one after another, "We are studying agricultural production and other work in 2024, so that the villagers can live and work happily." ”
Before I knew it, it was getting dark, and the old man Xu Zhongren was busy making dinner. The little granddaughter who had just returned from school gathered around the stove and made everyone laugh with the phrase "really fragrant".
Old man Xu Zhongren in his new home. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ma Xiaocheng.
Walking out of Xu Zhongren's new home, the window shadow reflects the busy figure of the family. The cold air rushed to the reporter's nostrils, and the smoke mixed with the smell of food was the smell of returning to daily life and the smell of hope.