Mother Nature turns on Yushu yet again - this time it's snow
Source: Xinhua |
April 23, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
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HEAVY snow and fierce winds hit northwestern China yesterday, creating new challenges for earthquake survivors and rescuers.
Snow started falling about 5:05am in Gyegu Town, epicenter of the magnitude-7.1 quake, in the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and had reached a depth of 3 centimeters by 8am, said Tsering Tashi, deputy head of Yushu's meteorological bureau.
Sheltering from the freezing gales, survivors are taking refuge in tents behind the debris of the devastated town.
Although the snow had stopped falling by yesterday afternoon, further falls are forecast over coming days.
"The snow increased the risk of colds, which may lead to other deadly illnesses given the town lies more than 4,000 meters above sea level," said Qin Rongbin, a medical expert with rescue headquarters.
At least 80 percent of army rescuers from outside the high-altitude region suffered altitude sickness, Qin said.
Truck drivers delivering rescue supplies are driving extra carefully on the snow- and ice-covered roads.
The earthquake has left 2,187 people dead and 80 missing as of last night.
It also left 12,135 injured, of whom 1,434 are in a serious condition. At least 96 of the injured had recovered and left hospitals by yesterday.
Meanwhile, the distribution of quake-relief material was going well after initial difficulties, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said yesterday.
Ministry spokesman Pang Chenmin made the remarks at a Beijing press conference.
Pang said the distribution of relief material was well organized and managed.
Homeless survivors had been properly resettled in tents and there was "no problem" in supplying them with basic food, he said.
Pang said donations would be channeled to the quake zone by the ministry and 15 other foundations, such as the Red Cross Society of China and the China Charity Federation.
He said many Tibetan Buddhists had helped in rescue and relief work in the quake zone, representing the spirit of ethnic unity between the Han and Tibetan nationalities.
The ministry is working on plans for permanent resettlement of the quake survivors in Yushu.
"The government will strive to build as many permanent houses as possible before winter comes," he said.
The resettlement plan would take into account local Tibetans' cultural and religious customs, he added.
Snow started falling about 5:05am in Gyegu Town, epicenter of the magnitude-7.1 quake, in the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and had reached a depth of 3 centimeters by 8am, said Tsering Tashi, deputy head of Yushu's meteorological bureau.
Sheltering from the freezing gales, survivors are taking refuge in tents behind the debris of the devastated town.
Although the snow had stopped falling by yesterday afternoon, further falls are forecast over coming days.
"The snow increased the risk of colds, which may lead to other deadly illnesses given the town lies more than 4,000 meters above sea level," said Qin Rongbin, a medical expert with rescue headquarters.
At least 80 percent of army rescuers from outside the high-altitude region suffered altitude sickness, Qin said.
Truck drivers delivering rescue supplies are driving extra carefully on the snow- and ice-covered roads.
The earthquake has left 2,187 people dead and 80 missing as of last night.
It also left 12,135 injured, of whom 1,434 are in a serious condition. At least 96 of the injured had recovered and left hospitals by yesterday.
Meanwhile, the distribution of quake-relief material was going well after initial difficulties, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said yesterday.
Ministry spokesman Pang Chenmin made the remarks at a Beijing press conference.
Pang said the distribution of relief material was well organized and managed.
Homeless survivors had been properly resettled in tents and there was "no problem" in supplying them with basic food, he said.
Pang said donations would be channeled to the quake zone by the ministry and 15 other foundations, such as the Red Cross Society of China and the China Charity Federation.
He said many Tibetan Buddhists had helped in rescue and relief work in the quake zone, representing the spirit of ethnic unity between the Han and Tibetan nationalities.
The ministry is working on plans for permanent resettlement of the quake survivors in Yushu.
"The government will strive to build as many permanent houses as possible before winter comes," he said.
The resettlement plan would take into account local Tibetans' cultural and religious customs, he added.
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