High‑tech equipment, including motorised pontoon bridges and delivery drones, played a key role in rescue operations in flooded Guangxi
In the hour when water floods streets and cuts off entire villages, technology becomes not just a tool but the only thread connecting people to life. Pontoon bridges and drones make it possible to overcome the elements where boats and ground rescuers are powerless. Every successful trip through raging water is not just a logistics operation but a family saved, a child brought home, a connection to the outside world restored.
Typhoon Meisak brought torrential rain to many areas of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China, and water levels in 59 rivers exceeded critical levels by 20:00 on Monday. According to local authorities, early warning and evacuation measures were taken for villages that could face further flooding, and operations are ongoing. In Guigang, rescue and evacuation teams rely on motorised pontoon bridges as a lifeline. Combining the functions of a boat, bridge and engine in one system, the pontoon can carry about 500 people in a single trip. Folded on a vehicle, it automatically deploys when entering the water, turning into a floating platform that can also connect with additional modules. With a deck about 60 metres long and a total load capacity exceeding 60 tonnes, the pontoon provides rapid large‑scale transport and emergency response. In Hengzhou, drones are air‑dropping supplies to affected areas around the clock. Besides cargo delivery, drones are also used at night for infrared search‑and‑rescue operations, real‑time aerial photography and transmitting emergency instructions, significantly improving night‑time response capabilities. In areas where ground communications are cut off, rescue teams have equipped drones with satellite base stations to deliver communication equipment and create temporary aerial nodes over disaster zones, helping restore vital connectivity.
Typhoon Meisak struck China's southern coast last week, causing widespread flooding in Guangxi. Authorities mobilised all available resources, including military engineers and cutting‑edge technology, to combat the aftermath. Motorised pontoon bridges, designed specifically for such situations, allow rapid crossings over swollen rivers, while drones deliver food, water and medicine to the most inaccessible areas. As CCTV+ reports. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of rescue services and the use of advanced technology, thousands of residents have been evacuated and further casualties prevented.
