A postal worker's dedication in Gyirong's relief efforts

Since the catastrophic mudslide on Wednesday, veteran postal worker Basang Dundrub has been tirelessly contributing to relief efforts at a temporary supply depot in Gyirong, Shigatse, Xizang autonomous region. Tasked with unloading rescue equipment and donated goods, he helps ensure these essential supplies reach those in need.

Having served China Post in Gyirong county for over a decade, Basang Dundrub volunteered for the relief mission immediately after the disaster struck. A parking lot has been transformed into a makeshift storage site, receiving firefighting and rescue equipment from Shigatse and donations from across the nation.

Basang Dundrub and his fellow volunteers begin their grueling workdays at 8 or 9 am, often continuing until the early hours of the next morning, leaving them with just a few hours of rest. Despite the exhaustion, Basang Dundrub remains committed.

"It's tiring, but when people are in difficulty, I should step forward and help," he said. "As long as the relief work continues, I'll stay here."

The massive mudslide, originating on the Nepalese side of the border, devastated the Gyirong Port area on Wednesday. By 6 pm on Saturday, 16 people were confirmed dead, and 546 remained missing, according to regional authorities.

Basang Dundrub, drawing from his prior emergency response experience, promptly reached out to his organization to offer his assistance, understanding the urgent need for additional manpower. Currently, ten postal workers, including local staff and reinforcements from Shigatse, are actively engaged in the relief operations.

The disaster also disrupted local postal services. Road restrictions halted deliveries for two days, resulting in a backlog of over 1,300 mail items, including urgent university admission letters. However, Basang Dundrub and his team coordinated with higher-level branches to clear the backlog, ensuring all delayed items were eventually delivered.

Since joining China Post in 2014, Basang Dundrub has delivered mail across the mountainous terrain of Gyirong, covering 14 administrative villages. Earlier this year, he transitioned to overseeing universal postal services at the county branch. In 2025, he was honored as a National Model Worker, a recognition he views as an added responsibility to assist those in need. "The honor is not just a title," he said. "It represents people's trust in me."

For now, Basang Dundrub's focus remains firmly on the relief work. As trucks continue to arrive at the depot, he and other volunteers diligently unload, sort, and prepare supplies for distribution. "I'll stay here until the disaster response is over," he pledged.