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SCMP Reporter

Typhoon victim Li Wen has just had his first bath after three days of living in the open.

  The 35-year-old construction worker escaped from his dormitory moments before it collapsed when typhoon Sally slammed into Zhanjiang city last week.

  'Our houses were falling and we took shelter in the building site opposite,' he said. 'We stayed at the site for two days without water or electricity. We borrowed food from our neighbours.'   Mr Li looked blank when asked about his future.

  'I am not sure whether our boss will continue to employ us. He has suffered great losses already,' he said.

  Among the 142 typhoon victims being treated at the Shui Qi People's Hospital, Huang Zhouxui , was certainly the most unlucky.

  The 30-year-old farm worker was hit by a falling tree when Sally swept through Liu Jiao Tian village.

  She was left paralysed and lost both her daughters in the storm.

  'I have no feeling at all. I did not expect the wind would be so strong,' she said after two days in a coma.

  In Bo To, one of the hardest-hit districts, nearly all the houses were damaged.

  The 100,000 yuan (HK$93,000) worth of stock in one small building materials store was destroyed.

  Owner Chen Fuying took shelter behind some concrete blocks when the typhoon struck.

  'I had to choose between life and property,' said Mr Chen, 38. 'I used all my savings in setting up the store and it is too small to buy any insurance.

  'My only hope is that the Government can provide a loan for me to rebuild my store.'   A dead body was washed ashore near Bo To pier, but no one seemed to pay any attention.

  'I have seen quite a few floating near the pier,' said a 40-year-old fisherman.

  'There is a body-retrieving boat, but I don't think they have enough manpower.

  'The Government is now busy with redevelopment. Dealing with dead people is a low priority.'   In Zhanjiang, hundreds of primary pupils were clambering over rubble trying to rebuild their school.

  School walls and four out of six buildings were damaged.

  'Primary Five and Six pupils, together with Form One and Two students, are voluntarily taking turns to repair the walls while the lower classes are responsible for clearing up the campus,' said school master Lin Nansheng .

  He said the storm came so quickly there was no time to evacuate the pupils.

   'Our vice-principal and a few other staff got hurt in the storm but fortunately no children were injured,' said Mr Lin.

  Pupil Chen Tei , 12, told of the moment Sally struck.

  'The big wind smashed all the windows and our teacher told us to hide under the desks,' she said.

  But she said she was dedicated to helping rebuild the school.

  'I don't feel tired because the school is ours,' she added.



Survivors of typhoon on tough road to recovery