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August 17, 2010

As rescue work in northwest China continues, four days after massive landslides devastated Zhouqu County in Gansu Province, hopes of finding survivors are dim, according to a report in the Epoch Times.

With more rain threatening the already destabilized region, the official death toll surged past one thousand, on Monday, and another 600 are reportedly missing. However, locals say the extent of the disaster is much worse than these reports reveal.

Mr. Tan, a Zhouqu Resident, said, “Now we’ve ascertained that at least 2,000 people have died, there are also some injured. It’s quite serious. Buildings have been flattened, and the mud has build up to two meters in some areas.” Another resident says more than nine thousand people are missing.

It is hard to gauge the full extent of the disaster, because the Chinese government has put a ban on journalists visiting the area.

For now, displaced resident are doing what they can to uncover the rubble and look for survivors. “The main source of rescue is manpower. We use shovels and our hands, basically relying on families and friends. From my estimates, there are a few thousand people at refugee placement points, they’re all homeless,” said Mr Tan. And with the mudslide cutting off water and electricity, those who have survived face further challenges.

Another local resident, Mr. Zhang said, “We’re now rushing to save people, and the electricity, water and food supplies have all been cut off. We have nothing to drink. The water plant has been destroyed along with all infrastructures. We’re just having one bread a day. Those who have survived are crammed into tents. There are a lot of bodies, and an outbreak will occur if they aren’t dealt with. This is the task at hand.”

Chinese authorities have blamed the landslides on the weather, but some experts believe hydro-dams and deforestation in the area have contributed to the disaster. For more on this story, go to NPR.org.

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