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Landslide destroys 71 houses, kills at least 24 in China’s Sichuan

sichuan-landslide-august-2017

A massive landslide triggered by heavy rain hit Gengdi Village in Qiaowo Town of Puge County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Sichuan province around 06:00 local time Tuesday morning, August 8, 2017, killing 24 people and leaving at least 1 person missing.

One person was pulled alive from the rubble, and four others had minor injuries, the provincial government's news office said in a statement.

Local authorities estimate that 71 houses were destroyed and 5 km (3 miles) of roads were damaged. The slide caused an estimated 160 million yuan (US $23.9 million) in direct economic losses.

Rescue work is underway.

Sichuan landslide August 8, 2017

Sichuan landslide August 8, 2017. Credit: Xinhua

Sichuan landslide August 8, 2017

Sichuan landslide August 8, 2017. Credit: Xinhua

Sichuan and neighboring provinces were under heavy rainfall since August 6, China's Ministry of Civil Affairs reports, with 100 – 200 mm (3.9 – 7.9 inches) of rain and locally up to 244 mm (9.6 inches). The region's largest hourly rainfall was 80 – 97 mm (3.1 – 3.8 inches). 

Heavy rain caused floods across Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Sichuan and other places, MCA said, adding that large hail destroyed crops, parts of roads and other infrastructure.

72 hours of rainfall accumulation - China

Credit: NASA/JAXA GPM

Landslides are frequent danger in mountainous Sichuan.

On August 6, a massive landslide blocked traffic on National Highway 213 for three hours, CCTV reported. No death or injury has been reported as a result of this event.

The landslide, occurring at 15:45 local time, caused about 20 000 m3 (706 300 ft3) of mud to fall onto the highway, cutting off traffic on the highway's Maoxian County section.

YouTube video

On June 24, huge rocks which came from a mountain engulfed some 40 homes and a hotel, killing more than 100 people. 

Featured image: Massive landslide hits China's Sichuan province on August 8, 2017. Credit: Xinhua

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