Recently, floods have devastated the entire province of Shanxi in northern China, an area famous for vast reserves of coal and iron. Dam water discharge coupled with heavy rains and landslides, have damaged railways, and caused tens of thousands of victims to flee, farmlands to vanish, and massive coal mines to suspend production. By Oct. 4, heavy rains halted production in 27 coal mines, 99 other types of mines, 7 hazardous chemical enterprises, and 231 construction projects, and closed 74 scenic spots, the Chinese media reported. Yuncheng, Southwest Border City In the evening of Oct. 7, the local dam of Yuncheng City collapsed and flooded nearby counties and villages. Local residents fled to drier ground. Yuncheng, in the southwest tip of Shanxi Province, is bordered by the Yellow River to the west, and sits where local river Fen meets the Yellow River. Ms. Zhao, a resident of Qiaodong Village, Xinjiang …