107 trapped in landslide and rescue effort halts
Source: Shanghai Daily |
June 29, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A LANDSLIDE caused by heavy rains trapped at least 107 people from 38 families yesterday in southwestern China, and with little hope for their survival, rescue work was suspended because of persistent downpours, officials at the local rescue headquarters said last night.
Many homes were buried when the landslide struck the village of Dazhai in Guizhou Province yesterday afternoon after days of rain, a resident helping in the rescue effort, Huang Pangzun, told The Associated Press by phone.
The number of casualties was not immediately known, said a provincial official surnamed Xue who works in the flood prevention headquarters.
"The landslide was triggered by heavy rains in the past few days, especially last night's rain. There is little chance that the people who are trapped will be able to survive," Xue told AP in a phone interview from Guiyang, the provincial capital.
"I heard a huge 'bang' around noon when it was raining before I realized it was a landslide," resident Huang Anquan, 68, told Xinhua news agency last night. "I assembled my family and fled."
Huang had disabled legs and was carried on the back of his son when the family was evacuating last night.
Villager Cen Chaoyang rushed out of his house when he heard the landslide and managed to escape.
"I called the others to flee. But it was too late. I saw some people behind me being buried," Cen told Xinhua.
Luo Ning, the mayor of Anshun City, who was coordinating rescue work at the scene, said last night that 387 nearby residents have been evacuated, given that more landslides are possible at a nearby mountain, citing long-time soaking from the heavy rain.
Before yesterday's landslide, downpours had pummeled the area for a week. On Sunday alone, the city received rainfall of 257 millimeters, according to local meteorological officials.
Of the 387 evacuees, 252 found shelter at relatives and friends. The rest needs accommodation and food from the government, Luo told Xinhua, adding that the city will offer drinking water, food and tent to them.
Authorities in Anshun have yet to move more than 1,200 people to safe places from their homes in Dazhai Village.
Premier Wen Jiabao has urged all-out efforts to rescue the buried people. Vice Premier Hui Liangyu was heading to the area with a team of experts to help coordinate rescue work.
Rescuers had to run 5 kilometers to reach the site, which is inaccessible by vehicle.
Rain and landslides continue to plague the region.
In Malong County of neighboring Yunnan Province, floodwaters had receded enough that some people returned to inspect their homes over the weekend, CCTV said. Residents returned to find their mud-brick houses covered in sludge in areas that had been under 2 meters of water after a reservoir overflowed.
Many homes were buried when the landslide struck the village of Dazhai in Guizhou Province yesterday afternoon after days of rain, a resident helping in the rescue effort, Huang Pangzun, told The Associated Press by phone.
The number of casualties was not immediately known, said a provincial official surnamed Xue who works in the flood prevention headquarters.
"The landslide was triggered by heavy rains in the past few days, especially last night's rain. There is little chance that the people who are trapped will be able to survive," Xue told AP in a phone interview from Guiyang, the provincial capital.
"I heard a huge 'bang' around noon when it was raining before I realized it was a landslide," resident Huang Anquan, 68, told Xinhua news agency last night. "I assembled my family and fled."
Huang had disabled legs and was carried on the back of his son when the family was evacuating last night.
Villager Cen Chaoyang rushed out of his house when he heard the landslide and managed to escape.
"I called the others to flee. But it was too late. I saw some people behind me being buried," Cen told Xinhua.
Luo Ning, the mayor of Anshun City, who was coordinating rescue work at the scene, said last night that 387 nearby residents have been evacuated, given that more landslides are possible at a nearby mountain, citing long-time soaking from the heavy rain.
Before yesterday's landslide, downpours had pummeled the area for a week. On Sunday alone, the city received rainfall of 257 millimeters, according to local meteorological officials.
Of the 387 evacuees, 252 found shelter at relatives and friends. The rest needs accommodation and food from the government, Luo told Xinhua, adding that the city will offer drinking water, food and tent to them.
Authorities in Anshun have yet to move more than 1,200 people to safe places from their homes in Dazhai Village.
Premier Wen Jiabao has urged all-out efforts to rescue the buried people. Vice Premier Hui Liangyu was heading to the area with a team of experts to help coordinate rescue work.
Rescuers had to run 5 kilometers to reach the site, which is inaccessible by vehicle.
Rain and landslides continue to plague the region.
In Malong County of neighboring Yunnan Province, floodwaters had receded enough that some people returned to inspect their homes over the weekend, CCTV said. Residents returned to find their mud-brick houses covered in sludge in areas that had been under 2 meters of water after a reservoir overflowed.
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