CHANGSHA - The government of Huarong County in Central China's Hunan Province offered a large sum of money in compensation and rewards to drivers who volunteered to help close a breached dike.

The local government granted more than 2.6 million yuan (about $400,000) to cover the loss of 17 trucks and reward the drivers for their bravery.

The compensation consists of three parts: depreciated vehicle value, lost income for 40 days and a 10,000-yuan award.

A breach in a flood detention basin in Huarong County occurred on July 10, forcing more than 20,000 residents to evacuate.

Sixteen private truck drivers steered their vehicles to the breached dike, opened their doors and jumped out. The trucks, which were loaded with gravel, succeeded in stopping the breach from widening further.