Record rains cause widespread disruption, trigger hundreds of landslides in Yunnan, China
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Days of heavy rainfall triggered hundreds of landslides in Yunnan Province, China, including one which resulted in 1 fatality and 4 others missing on Thursday, May 28, 2020, and a sudden rockfall in Tonghai County, trapping 2 people and injuring 2 others on Friday, May 29. The severe weather has also caused widespread devastation, with telecommunications, electricity, and traffic severely affected.
Drung-Nu Autonomous County of Gongshan has been lashed by the heaviest rainfall since records began, according to the county government's information office.
The disasters have affected more than 5 300 people, including 1 992 residents who were promptly evacuated and 1 041 stranded tourists.
Local reports said several houses and businesses sustained major damage. Road traffic was impacted by washouts, including main roads from Gongshan to Fugong, Dulongjiang Highway, and Degong Highway.
The severe weather also impacted telecommunications, electricity, water supply, and caused damage to crops.
Due to the continuous impact of heavy downpours, portions of mountains along the Bingzhongluo Highway partially collapsed. Authorities have since cleared the road.
At least one fatality has been confirmed, while four others remained missing as of Thursday.
Meanwhile, a sudden rock collapse occurred in Tonghai County on Friday morning, leaving two people injured.
Sad to see unseasonal floods and landslides destroying much of the beautiful Nujiang canyon in #Yunnan that I cycled down last year https://t.co/C0NmQ03SMT pic.twitter.com/xTmr7I5Z1L
— Michael W (@mpwoodhead) May 27, 2020
On May 27, mudslides and landslides occurred in many places in Gongshan, Yunnan Province. The number of people affected by the disaster in the county exceeded 2,200. The disaster has caused 2 missing persons and 2 injured. 【Reported by People's Daily】 pic.twitter.com/XIWoj5xtQD
— InterEMC2020 (@InterEMC) May 27, 2020
According to the Fire and Rescue Service, the boulders hit a car repair shop and a furniture factory, trapping a couple of people who were eventually rescued.
"The brigade immediately dispatched two vehicles and 14 people to the scene," said Wu Nan, the deputy director of Xiushan Fire Rescue Station. He added that the rescuers found the house seriously damaged.
"The rain did not stop at the time. it was found that there was some paint in the house and some electrical appliances. The wiring was more complicated."
Injured victims have been taken to the hospital for treatment.
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