Amirjan Elim (front) and a villager are on their way to clean the watercourse in Datung Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
TAXKORGAN, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Located deep in a valley, Datung Township is surrounded by towering mountains. These mountains have become a barrier for local residents to access to the national power grid. To solve the power supply problem, the town in the late 1980s organized villagers to build a ditch along the Datung River and introduced a hydropower generator. For years, the small-sized hydropower station just barely meets local power needs. Besides, the station is often paralyzed with the watercourse being blocked by garbage, ice and fallen rocks.
Amirjan, 34, has been in charge of the hydropower station maintenance since 2007. He patrols along the watercourse at least three times per day to make sure normal operation of the generator. "In autumn I need to clear away fallen leaves in time. In winter I need to break the river ice into pieces. If flood comes, I need to repair the ditch."
Thanks to the poverty alleviation efforts by local government, residents of Datung Township are expected to use the electricity supplied by the national grid by the end of this June. The small-sized hydropower station would then become a backup power supply.
Amirjan is looking forward to seeing local residents have better power supply as well as a better life.
Amirjan Elim poses for a photo in front of a hydropower station in Datung Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Aerial photo taken on June 14, 2020 shows an electric transmission tower in Datung Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
A power worker works on electricity facilities at a construction site in Datung Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 12, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Amirjan Elim cleans a watercourse in Datung Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Power workers work on an electric transmission tower in Datung Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 12, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Amirjan Elim locks the door of a local hydropower station in Datung Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Amirjan Elim maintains facilities at a hydropower station in Datung Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Amirjan Elim patrols along a ditch in Datung Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Amirjan Elim clears away leaves and branches in a watercourse in Datung Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Amirjan Elim puts on his shoes after cleaning a watercourse in Datung Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Aerial photo taken on June 14, 2020 shows a view of Datung Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Amirjan Elim (L) and a villager work at a hydropower station in Datung Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Amirjan Elim checks facilities at a hydropower station in Datung Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Amirjan Elim checks a shield for garbages at a watercourse in Datung Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
Amirjan Elim maintains facilities at a hydropower station in Datung Township of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)■
