A devastating landslide in China’s Yunnan Province has left 47 people buried, with at least two confirmed deaths. The tragedy occurred early on Monday in the village of Liangshui, located in the northeastern part of the province. As a result, 200 individuals were forced to evacuate amidst freezing temperatures and falling snow. Rescue efforts are currently underway to locate victims trapped in 18 separate houses.
The cause of the landslide remains unknown, as survivors and rescuers face the additional challenges posed by snow and freezing temperatures. These harsh conditions are expected to persist for the next few days. Luo Dongmei, a 35-year-old resident who survived the disaster, recounted her experience. She was asleep when her brother urgently knocked on her door, alerting her to the imminent danger. Luo and her family were quickly relocated to a nearby school building by local authorities.
While they have been provided with food, Luo mentioned that they are still waiting for blankets and other protective measures against the cold weather. She expressed concern for her sister and aunt, who lived closer to the landslide site but have been unreachable since the incident. All she can do now is wait anxiously for news.
This unfortunate event follows a similar incident last week in northwestern China, where heavy snowfall triggered dozens of avalanches, leaving over 1,000 people stranded in a remote skiing area. The avalanches blocked roads, isolating both tourists and residents in a village near the border with Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan.
Landslides are not uncommon in China and are often caused by rain or unsafe construction practices. Last year alone, these natural disasters claimed the lives of 70 individuals. One particularly devastating incident occurred at an open pit mine in China’s Inner Mongolia region, where over 50 people lost their lives. Overall, natural disasters in China resulted in 691 deaths or missing persons and caused economic losses amounting to approximately 345 billion yuan ($48 billion), according to the National Commission for Disaster Reduction and the Ministry of Emergency Management.
In response to the recent landslide, the Ministry of Natural Resources has implemented emergency measures for geological disasters. A team of experts has also been dispatched to the site to assess the situation. Minister of Emergency Management Wang Xiangxi has personally traveled to the affected area to oversee rescue operations.
It is worth noting that this landslide occurred just over a month after China experienced its most powerful earthquake in years. The magnitude 6.2 temblor struck the northwest region between Gansu and Qinghai provinces on December 18, claiming the lives of at least 149 individuals. The earthquake reduced homes to rubble and triggered heavy mudslides that engulfed two villages in Qinghai province. The disaster resulted in nearly 1,000 injuries and the destruction of over 14,000 homes, making it China’s deadliest earthquake in nine years.
As rescue efforts continue in Yunnan Province, the nation mourns the lives lost and hopes for the safe recovery of those still missing. The government’s swift response and commitment to disaster management are crucial in mitigating further damage and providing support to affected communities.
