- The PM begs for the safe recovery of the missing people.
- Pakistan is held with China in time of tragedy: PM.
- Climate change blamed for the worsening of weather events in China.
Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sadness of the tragic loss of life caused by landslides in Guizhou, China.
Offering condolences to the bereaved families, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan was in solidarity with the people and the government of China during this difficult period and prayed for the safe recovery of the missing people.
At least four people were confirmed dead and 17 people missing after the torrential rains sparked two separate landslides in the mountain province of Guizhou in southwest China on Thursday, according to the state media.
The first landslide struck the canton of Changshi in the county of Dafang at around 3 am, local time (1900 GMT Wednesday), followed by a second in the canton of Guowa at around 9 am, diffuser of State state Video surveillance reported. Nineteen people from eight households were initially trapped, with continuous efforts to locate the survivors.
Aerial images have shown whole villages overwhelmed in a thick brown mud, with flooded agricultural land at the base of densely wooded hills.
In response, the authorities have activated a level II emergency response – the second highest alert in China – for geological disasters. The Ministry of Natural Resources sent a specialized team to supervise rescue operations, while the Ministry of Emergency Management urged rescue staff to exercise “all possible efforts” despite difficult land.
However, he said that the distant region was “high and stiff” and that rescue efforts are “difficult”.
More than 400 staff members, including military officers and firefighters, were deployed to help the rescue.
The authorities have also issued warnings for new geological risks in the surrounding areas, including the neighboring provinces of Hunan and Jiangxi, which are also struggling with serious weather conditions.
China has been increasingly affected by extreme weather events, 2024 recorded as the hottest year since comparable records began over 60 years ago. The country continues to cope with heavy frequent rain, mountain floods and longer thermal waves – all authorities of phenomena have linked to the impact of aggravation of climate change.
Last week, similar showers in the southern province of Guangdong and the Guangxi region killed seven people and left several other missing.
– with an additional AFP and Reuters entry
