A devastating landslide struck Liangshui village in Yunnan Province, China, on January 22, 2024, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread damage.
The incident, occurring in the early hours of Monday, has led to at least eight confirmed deaths, with reports indicating that nearly 50 individuals are still missing.
The landslide, which happened at approximately 5:51 a.m. local time, engulfed 18 homes in this mountainous region, leading to the evacuation of over 500 residents.
Rescue efforts are being conducted in challenging conditions, with the area experiencing sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall. This has complicated the search for survivors and recovery of bodies from the rubble.
Nearly 1,000 emergency and rescue workers have been dispatched to the scene, as directed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has called for an all-out rescue effort. The President has also assigned one of the government’s vice prime ministers to lead these operations, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The cause of the landslide remains unclear. Reports from local residents suggest that a coal mine was operating near the site, and cracks had been observed in the earth weeks before the tragedy. These details point towards possible contributing factors to the disaster.
Survivors, including a woman named Luo Dongmei, who was awoken by her brother during the landslide, have been sheltered at a local school. However, they are reportedly still waiting for essential supplies like blankets to protect against the cold. The situation remains dire, with electricity and water supplies yet to be restored to the area as of Monday afternoon.
Landslides are not uncommon in Yunnan, a region where steep mountain ranges meet the Himalayan Plateau. This geological makeup and the area’s susceptibility to extreme weather conditions make it prone to such natural disasters. The current landslide is the latest in a series of such events in China, which have caused significant fatalities and economic losses in recent years.
This tragedy in Liangshui village follows just over a month after a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the northwest region between the Gansu and Qinghai provinces, which was China’s deadliest earthquake in nine years, resulting in at least 149 deaths and triggering heavy mudslides.
As the rescue operations continue, there are concerns about the possibility of further landslides in the unstable hillside communities. Rescuers have expressed difficulty in bringing heavy machinery to the site due to the soil’s instability.
The forecast for continued bitterly cold weather with temperatures remaining below freezing adds to the challenges faced by the rescue teams and increases the urgency of the operation.
