Communications and transit > Enquiry on national public works

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Lakes, a work which, by old methods, would have required several months and much
greater expense.
From these surveys, it was calculated at that time that the total flooded area
approximated 88,000 square kilometres (34,000 square miles), with an additional 20,000
square kilometres (7,700 square miles) less seriously flooded.
(b) Dyke Survey.—By the end of October, the water had receded somewhat, and the
plans were made to survey the extent of the damage. As the dykes were scattered over
all the provinces concerned, and as time was limited, speed was essential. It was felt that
the best procedure would be to co-operate with the different provincial bureaux and river
commissions by dividing among them the districts to be surveyed, as below.
(i) Along the Yangtse River, from Chinkiang to Wusueh, the work was entrusted
to the Yangtse River Commission. Three parties were sent to accomplish this
purpose. From Wusueh to Shasi, on the Yangtse, and along the Han and Kin Rivers,
the work was undertaken by the Hupeh Conservancy Bureau.
(ii) On the Siang and Yuan Rivers and around the Tungting Lake, the Hunan
Reconstruction Bureau took the charge.
(in) On the Kan River, in Kiangsi, the work was undertaken by the Kiangsi
Conservancy Bureau.
Surveys were made wherever possible, but in certain places where the ground was
still under water, and in others which were infested by bandits, surveying was not feasible.
The National Flood Relief Commission’s rules and standard were followed by the
surveyors, where surveys were made, and they made out cross sections of the damaged
dykes. From these, the account of earthwork required for reconstruction or repair was
determined. In places, where the surveys were impossible to make, dykes maps prepared
by the Provincial Government were used. These were comparatively not so accurate,
and the results obtained were less satisfactory.
3. Schedule of Work.
It was decided that, with the resources at its command, the Commission could afford
to repair or reconstruct only the main dykes on the principal waterways affected by the
flood. Dykes on the tributaries must be left in the hands of the local governments, and
those privately owned to the owners themselves.
It was further decided, for the same reason, to confine the work to the following
schedule :
(a) Repair of dykes on the south side of the Yangtse, from Chinkiang to Ou
Chih Kow, and of the dykes on the north side of the river, from Kwa Chow to the
Chinkiang dyke in the vicinity of Fu Mao Poo, and also the repair of dykes in lower
regions of the Kan River, in Kiangsi;
(b) Repair of the dykes on both sides of the Han River, from Hankow to Chien
Kiang;
(c) Repair of the dykes on both sides of the Rivers Siang and Yuan and
around the Tungting lake.
4. General Principles.
(a) Labour relief work to be confined to earthwork only. The work to consist
primarily of the construction of main dykes and the dredging of river beds.
(b) In the construction of dykes, special attention to be given to the regions traversed
by important rivers, and especially to those places where dykes have been broken by the
flood.