During a visit to affected communities last week, Nie Yufeng, the party chief of Hebei province, said the area could “relieve pressure on Beijing’s flood control” and serve as a “moat” for the capital.
China’s state media has praised the government’s efforts to reduce the damage caused by the floods, with coverage focusing on stories of selfless officials working tirelessly on mutual aid and rescue efforts.
But a week after the waters rose, some villagers told AFP they had not received enough warning from authorities about when the floods would hit.
The Chinese government said on Wednesday it would allocate one billion yuan ($139 million) to compensate residents of inundated areas to control flood levels in low-lying areas.
The fund will pay for “damage to crops, animal and poultry farms, commercial forests, homes and agricultural machinery,” according to the official Xinhua news agency.