Basang Dondrub, a postal delivery worker from the Gyirong county branch of China Post, volunteers to collect and deliver parcels for local residents following a massive mudslide at a border port in Gyirong county, Shigatse, Xizang autonomous region. [Photo by PALDEN NYIMA/chinadaily.com.cn]

Since the catastrophic mudslide on Aug 26, veteran postman Basang Dundrub has been contributing to relief efforts at a temporary supply depot in Gyirong, Shigatse, Xizang autonomous region. Tasked with unloading rescue equipment and donated goods, Basang Dundrub 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 fellow volunteers begin work at 8 or 9 am, often continuing until the early hours of the next morning, leaving them with just a few hours of rest.

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

The massive mudslide, originating on the Nepalese side of the border, hit the Gyirong Port area on Aug 26. By 6 pm on Aug 29, 16 people had been confirmed dead, and 546 remained missing, according to regional authorities.

Drawing on previous emergency response experience, Basang Dundrub contacted his organization soon after the disaster and volunteered to help, knowing additional manpower would be needed.

Ten postmen are currently involved in work in the disaster-hit area, including local employees and reinforcements from Shigatse, according to Basang Dundrub.

The disaster also disrupted local postal services. Road restrictions halted deliveries for two days, resulting in a backlog of more than 1,300 pieces of mail and parcels, including university admission letters and other urgent deliveries.

Postal workers coordinated with higher-level branches to resume services and clear the backlog. All the delayed items have since been delivered, Basang Dundrub said.

For Basang Dundrub, ensuring important mail reaches people in remote communities has been part of the job for more than a decade.

Basang Dundrub joined China Post in 2014, initially serving different townships before taking on delivery routes covering villages across Gyirong county. At one point, the routes covered 14 administrative villages in an area where mountainous terrain and unstable road conditions could turn routine deliveries into difficult journeys.

Basang Dundrub recalled one occasion when difficult road conditions prevented the vehicle from reaching a remote village where a university admission letter needed to be delivered.

Basang Dundrub continued part of the journey on foot. With limited mobile phone coverage and homes scattered across the area, Basang Dundrub sought help from local residents before eventually finding the student, Dorje Gyatso, and handing over the letter.

"Dorje Gyatso's whole family was very happy," Basang Dundrub recalled. The family invited Basang Dundrub into their home and served butter tea and tsamba, a staple made from roasted barley flour.

"Although the journey was difficult, seeing how happy they were when they received the letter made it worthwhile," Basang Dundrub said.

Such challenges were common on the mountain routes. Basang Dundrub recalled another occasion when a vehicle broke down after dark, forcing Basang Dundrub to walk more than 10 kilometers before reaching a village and seeking help.

Earlier this year, Basang Dundrub moved from frontline delivery into a role overseeing universal postal services at China Post's Gyirong county branch. Basang Dundrub was named a National Model Worker in 2025, an honor Basang Dundrub said represents greater responsibility.

"The honor is not just a title. It represents people's trust in me," Basang Dundrub said.

For now, that responsibility means remaining at the temporary supply depot, where trucks continue to arrive with equipment and donated goods.

"I'll stay here until the disaster response is over," Basang Dundrub said.