Landslide prompts call to boost risk screening
China has urged local governments to strengthen risk assessment for geological disasters as the country enters peak flood season, especially after a landslide at a construction site in Taining, East China's Fujian Province caused 26 deaths.
The Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR) said Monday that China faces severe challenges posed by geological disasters, after urging local authorities to strengthen risk assessment in tourist areas, migrant worker communities and construction sites on Sunday.
Gao Jianguo, a research fellow at the Institute of Geology under the China Earthquake Administration, told the Global Times that the frequent occurrence of extreme weather and ever-expanding construction activity throughout the country have contributed to geological disasters. "China's current map for geological hazard prevention lags since it only highlights places where disasters have happened, and it is urgent to conduct a thorough, nationwide survey of places with potential geological hazards," said Gao.
The landslide in Taining struck early on Sunday morning at the construction site of a hydropower station affiliated to the Fujian branch of China Huadian Corporation.
The disaster buried a temporary shed and damaged offices at the site, and 13 people were still missing as of press time on Monday.
In response, the MLR has implemented level two emergency management operations, the second most serious response level, deploying experts to Taining to investigate the cause of the landslide, assess remaining risks and prevent geological hazards.
"Rescuers from local fire prevention bureaus and other departments are still searching the site, but continuing heavy rain has worsened the geological conditions and has added difficulty to the rescue," Li Bin, a press officer with Sanming Fire Prevention Bureau, told the Global Times on Monday.
Another 14 people injured in the landslide, three of whom suffered severe injuries, are receiving treatment at Taining People's Hospital, according to cnr.cn.
According to the Xinhua News Agency, the landslide was triggered by heavy downpours that unleashed over 19 centimeters of rain in 24 hours starting on Saturday.
Li Lixin, manager of the Fujian branch of China Huadian Corporation, said in a news briefing on Sunday that the siting of the construction office and shed was done strictly in accordance with relevant rules.
