North China landslide death toll rises to four
by AFP Staff Writers
Beijing (AFP) Aug 13, 2023

The death toll from a landslide triggered by heavy rains in northern China has risen to at least four, state media said on Sunday.

A mountain flash flood in the village of Weiziping, south of Xi'an, caused a landslide on Friday which swept away two houses and damaged roads, bridges, electricity supply and other infrastructure, national public radio CNR reported.

"Four people have died" and "some people remain unreachable," it said on the Weibo social network. A previous report gave two dead and 16 missing.

A hundred soldiers as well as firefighters were mobilised for the relief operations "which are continuing" on Sunday, according to CNR.

CNR broadcast images on Weibo showing rescuers clearing rocks and trees from the edge of a river and carrying victims on stretchers.

China has faced deadly floods and historic rainfall in recent weeks, with the death toll from storms in the northern part of the country reaching at least 78 according to the latest toll reported on Friday.

Two dead, 16 missing in north China mudslide: state media
Beijing (AFP) Aug 12, 2023 - Two people died and 16 others are missing after a mudslide triggered by heavy rains occurred near the northern Chinese city of Xi'an, state media reported Saturday.

China has faced deadly floods and historic rainfall in recent weeks, with the death toll from storms in the northern part of the country reaching at least 78 on Friday.

"Affected by short-term local heavy rainfall, at 18:00 on August 11... there was a sudden mountain flash flood and mudslide," reported state broadcaster CCTV.

"A preliminary inspection showed that, at present, two houses in the village have been washed away and infrastructure including roads, bridges and power supply have been damaged," said the report.

Four of the people initially trapped by the mudslide have been saved, CCTV added.

Chinese state media said emergency response and rescue efforts were continuing on Saturday morning as 16 individuals remained missing.

The flash floods occurred in the village of Weiziping, situated in a narrow ravine two hours south of Xi'an's city centre.

Emergency management authorities in the city warned Saturday that the area would see "multiple rounds" of heavy storms in the near future.

"Coupled with continuous rainfall, mountains and soil will be highly saturated, likely leading to secondary disasters such as mountain flash floods and mudslides," the statement said.

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