Villagers swarm to fish-filled reservoir before typhoon

Two villagers carry a gigantic carp caught at Changtan reservoir in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province after workers discharged excess water to ease the possible impact of Typhoon Fitow on October 5. Photo: chinanews.com

A villager carries several big fish caught in flood discharge from the Changtan reservoir in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province on October 5. Photo: chinanews.com

Local police were called to maintain order as hundreds of villagers scrambled for fish spewing from the Changtan reservoir in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province as workers discharged excess water in anticipation of Typhoon Fitow.

More than 200 local residents readied with fishing equipment to snatch from the schools of reservoir-raised bighead and silver carp as they shot through the spillway, according to a villager surnamed Gu. Some were seen hauling in carp weighing over 50 kilograms.

Located on the Yongning River, the Changtan reservoir began lowering water levels on October 5 to lessen the impact of possible flooding on communities downstream.

This was the first large-scale discharge since 2007, according to local flood control department.

Typhoon Fitow made landfall in Fujian Province on October 7 and continues to lash greater Zhejiang Province.