Since March, severe convective weather has been frequent and strong in southern Zhejiang, China. On the evening of March 25, a 10-scale gust occurred in Yunhe County, Lishui, Zhejiang and the construction shed of Jinshuitan Power Plant collapsed. Prior to the disaster, Yunhe County Meteorological Office (hereinafter referred to as the Office) issued early warning in advance, and carried out staged "call and response" mechanism. The township government and enterprises responded to the warning and responded in a science-based manner, and 20 workers living in the shed evacuated in time and successfully evaded the disaster.

At 14:20 on March 25, 4 hours before the shed crushed, the Yunhe County Meteorological Observatory issued severe weather warning information, and issued yellow warning signals of thunderstorm and gale, and yellow warning signals of lightning at 15:50.

"The workshop of Jinshuitan power plant is located at the edge of the reservoir, the lake in the reservoir area is open without shelter, vulnerable to strong winds. There are safety risks, transfer the construction personnel now!" At 17:20, LIU Bingsong, the information officer of Jinshuikeng Village who received the warning, found hidden dangers in the inspection and immediately reported to the township.

The collapsed work shed Photoed by WANG Yin

After receiving the report, the relevant person in charge in the township quickly came to the scene to verify and deploy prevention and response work. At 17:30, the construction site closed down and organized the transfer of construction personnel. At 17:40, all 20 construction workers were successfully transferred. At 18:00, the work shed collapsed.

In response to the severe convection weather, the meteorological department has taken precautions. The Office issued important meteorological information Report nearly 72 hours in advance, which said that "from the early evening of March 25 to the night, thunderstorms in the area might be accompanied by short-term heavy precipitation, thunderstorms and winds, and reminded relevant departments to keep tabs on real-time forecast and warning information, and take precautions."

By March 25, the Office paid close attention to weather changes, and adopted "call and response", and in the meanwhile urged relevant departments to heed meteorological information in time, and consolidate prevention.

On March 26, staff from Jinshuitan Town carried out post-disaster reconstruction work Photoed by WANG Yin

The flood control headquarters in towns and townships quickly launched emergency response, immediately sent early warning information to villages and enterprises, and carried out inspection and relief work on projects under construction, reservoir areas, roads and landslides.

"Before the arrival of the wind, the meteorological department issued a warning signal 4 hours in advance and timely adopted 'call and response', which won precious time for the rescue work at the frontline. The township acted in response to the warning, and the large area of the work shed collapsed without triggering casualties, and the safety of people's lives and property was fully ensured." JIANG Jing, vice head of Yunhe County remarked.

Editor: LIU Shuqiao