A devastating landslide occurred early Monday morning in the mountainous region of Yunnan province, burying 47 people and claiming the lives of at least two individuals. The incident has prompted the evacuation of 200 others, who are now facing freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall.
The Village of Liangshui in Crisis
The disaster unfolded in the village of Liangshui, located in the northeastern part of Yunnan province. Currently, rescue operations are underway to locate and save the victims buried beneath the wreckage of 18 houses. The cause of the landslide remains unknown, as rescuers and survivors grapple with the harsh realities of snow and freezing temperatures that are expected to persist for the next three days.
Stories of Survival and Struggle
Among the survivors is Luo Dongmei, a 35-year-old woman who was sleeping when the landslide struck. Fortunately, she managed to escape and was relocated to a nearby school building by local authorities. Recounting the terrifying experience, Luo said, “I was asleep when my brother knocked on the door and woke me up. They said there was a landslide and the bed was shaking, so they rushed upstairs and woke us up.”
Luo, her husband, and their three children, along with many other residents, have been provided with food at the school. However, they are still waiting for blankets and additional protection from the frigid weather. For Luo, the uncertainty weighs heavily on her heart as she’s been unable to reach her sister and aunt, who lived closer to the site of the landslide. “The only thing I can do is to wait,” she said.
Increasing Concerns Over Natural Disasters
This recent tragedy comes on the heels of another natural disaster in China. Last week, heavy snowfall triggered dozens of avalanches in a remote skiing area in northwestern China, leaving over 1,000 people stranded for a whole week. The avalanches blocked roads, isolating both tourists and residents in Altay prefecture, near China’s border with Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan.
China has long faced the threat of landslides, often triggered by rainfall or unsafe construction practices. In 2023, landslides claimed the lives of over 70 people, including more than 50 at an open-pit mine in Inner Mongolia. In total, natural disasters caused 691 deaths and went missing last year, resulting in direct economic losses of about 345 billion yuan ($48 billion).
Government Response and Ongoing Challenges
With the gravity of the situation, Minister of Emergency Management Wang Xiangxi has personally traveled to the landslide site to oversee rescue operations. The government is fully committed to helping those in need during these challenging times.
This tragic incident in Yunnan province comes just over a month after a powerful earthquake struck the northwest region of China, claiming the lives of 149 people. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.2, caused extensive damage and triggered devastating mudslides that engulfed two villages in Qinghai province.
As the people of Yunnan province continue to grapple with the aftermath of this landslide, their resilience and strength shine through. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.