Annotations on the Problem of Rainstorms Destroying Reservoirs[1] (July 8, 1958)

1
Comrade Peng Zhen[2], please read this.
The item about rainstorms in Henan destroying reservoirs deserves attention.
Mao Zedong
July 8
Printed from the manuscript.

2
Quite a number of small and medium-sized reservoirs have been destroyed.
Printed from Mao Zedong’s manuscript.

**Notes**
[1] These two annotations were written on issue no. [number missing in original] of *Internal Reference*, compiled and printed by the Xinhua News Agency on July 4, 1958. Of these: (1) was written on the cover of that issue of *Internal Reference*; (2) was written beside the Xinhua News Agency dispatch from Zhengzhou, “Rainstorms Cause Disasters in Parts of Henan,” published in that issue. The Xinhua report stated: From June 27 to 30, rainstorms occurred in parts of Henan. The center of the rainstorms was in the area of Baofeng, Jiaxian, and Yexian on the upper reaches of the Sha River, and around Zhenping in the Bai River basin. Because the rainstorms were concentrated, fierce, and heavy, they caused severe disaster conditions. In Pingdingshan city, 16 reservoirs, 35 ponds, and 81 weirs and embankments were washed away. In Liukou township, Jiaxian, the earth dam of the Shashan Reservoir was washed out, and floodwaters surged into Zhangdian village. In Daiji township, Baofeng, 35 out of 42 small reservoirs were destroyed. In Yexian, two medium-sized reservoirs and three small reservoirs were washed out. In Yanshi, five reservoirs were destroyed. In Zhenping, seven canals, one intake sluice, 15 barrages, and six small reservoirs were washed away. After the disaster occurred, local Party and government leaders immediately led cadres in rescue efforts. The floodwaters have now largely receded, and all localities are turning to follow-up work.

[2] Peng Zhen was then a secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.