3,000 evacuated after Yunnan quake
Source: Xinhua |
February 27, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINESE authorities have stepped up rescue efforts after an earthquake on Thursday injured at least 29 people in southwest China's Yunnan Province.
The People's Liberation Army's Chengdu Military Area Command has sent more than 700 soldiers to help in the rescue.
By yesterday morning, the soldiers had evacuated more than 3,000 residents from damaged homes to tents. They also dismantled nearly 100 buildings which were in danger of collapsing and causing further casualties.
Thousands of tents were delivered to the quake-hit areas overnight, along with quilts, clothing, food and drinking water.
The 5.1-magnitude quake struck the border of Lufeng and Yuanmou counties in Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture at 12:56pm.
As of midday yesterday, four counties -- Lufeng, Yuanmou, Muding and Wuding -- had reported injured residents, the local government said. It said at least 100 schools, 72 hospitals and thousands of homes were damaged in the quake.
The provincial and local governments have earmarked 6 million yuan (US$882,353) for relief funds.
By 10am yesterday, 37 aftershocks had occurred in the area, the strongest of which measured over 5 magnitude, the provincial seismological center said.
A disaster prevention official dispelled fears the quake was a consequence of prolonged drought plaguing southwest China.
"There's no clear evidence that earthquakes follow severe drought or flood, even though some elderly people believe so," said Yunnan Provincial Earthquake Administration officer Gu Yishan.
He said the quake-affected areas had suffered several tremors in December and January, but all measured under 4.9 magnitude.
Yunnan is suffering its worst drought in 60 years with almost 6 million people and 3.6 million head of livestock facing drinking water shortages.
The People's Liberation Army's Chengdu Military Area Command has sent more than 700 soldiers to help in the rescue.
By yesterday morning, the soldiers had evacuated more than 3,000 residents from damaged homes to tents. They also dismantled nearly 100 buildings which were in danger of collapsing and causing further casualties.
Thousands of tents were delivered to the quake-hit areas overnight, along with quilts, clothing, food and drinking water.
The 5.1-magnitude quake struck the border of Lufeng and Yuanmou counties in Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture at 12:56pm.
As of midday yesterday, four counties -- Lufeng, Yuanmou, Muding and Wuding -- had reported injured residents, the local government said. It said at least 100 schools, 72 hospitals and thousands of homes were damaged in the quake.
The provincial and local governments have earmarked 6 million yuan (US$882,353) for relief funds.
By 10am yesterday, 37 aftershocks had occurred in the area, the strongest of which measured over 5 magnitude, the provincial seismological center said.
A disaster prevention official dispelled fears the quake was a consequence of prolonged drought plaguing southwest China.
"There's no clear evidence that earthquakes follow severe drought or flood, even though some elderly people believe so," said Yunnan Provincial Earthquake Administration officer Gu Yishan.
He said the quake-affected areas had suffered several tremors in December and January, but all measured under 4.9 magnitude.
Yunnan is suffering its worst drought in 60 years with almost 6 million people and 3.6 million head of livestock facing drinking water shortages.
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