This morning, I saw a WeChat Moments post shared by a friend who makes jasmine tea in Hengzhou. Devastation stretches everywhere the floodwaters swept through. Jasmine plantations, tea factories and entire industrial blocks are submerged by floodwater. Stocks of tea and production equipment that could not be evacuated in time lie underwater. Tea sacks washed out from the factories drift all over the water's surface, alongside exhausted locals who have collapsed from rushing to salvage supplies… A profound sense of powerlessness washes over me.
Thankfully, people from all walks of life have stepped forward to provide disaster relief support. I sincerely hope the local residents can resume tea production soon and return to their normal lives. May the sweet fragrance of jasmine once again linger along the streets of this beautiful city.
