Work team dispatched to landslide-hit areas in SW China

Beijing - A joint work team has been dispatched to the barrier lake area caused by a landslide in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region Sunday, according to China's Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM).

The team was led by MEM with members from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Ministry of Water Resources (MWR), National Energy Administration and other authorities to guide and assist in identifying the cause of the landslide, studying and judging the development of the disaster and dealing with the emergency rescue work, said an official in charge from MEM.

Fire and rescue forces from Qamdo in Tibet and Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province have been deployed with rescue and communication equipment to conduct a disaster survey and carry out rescue measures at the site in advance, the official added.

On Sunday morning, the joint work team arrived in Sichuan Province.

MEM officials Sunday summoned state administrations and companies, including MNR, MWR, China Meteorological Administration and China Anneng Construction Corporation for a meeting, which had a video call with the joint work team to discuss the risk caused by the landslide on the Jinsha River.

Geological detectors showed that the landslide struck at around 12:30 p.m. Saturday. According to hydrologic monitoring, the downstream area has been cut off by the blockade while the upstream water level keeps rising.

The MEM has ordered the evacuation and resettlement of local residents to ensure their safety, and urged adopting effective solutions and preparations for any emergency situations.

The landslide occurred in Baige Village of Bolo Township in Jomda County of Qamdo, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. No casualties have been reported.

About a month ago, a barrier lake was formed due to a landslide at the same site.