Rescuers intensity monitoring of slope hazards after deadly landslide in Sichuan

A group of emergency workers are ramping up efforts to monitor risky slopes and guard against secondary collapses following a devastating landslide in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The landslide struck Jinping Village in Junlian County, Yibin City at about 11:50 on Saturday morning, leaving one dead, 28 missing and two injured. In response, the provincial authorities have activated the highest-level geological disaster emergency plan.

As rescuers race against time to search for the missing, assess potential risks, and relocate affected residents, they face significant challenges. Rugged terrain, continuous rainfall, and falling rocks have made the ground dangerous for search teams. To address these risks, a special unit has been deployed to monitor and provide early warnings about potential geological hazards.

Just moments after a CCTV reporter arrived at the scene, a loud alarm was sounded, signaling the risk of a secondary collapse and prompting an immediate evacuation order.

"The forward lookout post issued a warning signal, indicating a high risk of a secondary collapse on the mountain. To ensure the safety of our personnel and equipment, we must evacuate to a safe zone," said Wu Xin, leader of the rescue team from China Anneng Construction Group Chengdu Base.

Wu explained that the landslide occurred at a high elevation, making rescue operations particularly difficult and leaving the area at high risk of another collapse. Therefore, numerous safety officers have been stationed along the mountain, constantly monitoring any shifts or changes in the landslide zone.

After trekking up the slope for several minutes, the reporter met the safety officer who had just issued the alarm.

"When we detect a dangerous situation, we use loudspeakers to alert the rescue team to evacuate to a safe area," said Zou Yaopeng, a local firefighter.

The safety inspection team includes over 100 frontline workers, most of them being in their twenties. Since the landslide occurred, they have been working more than 15 hours a day in freezing temperatures, closely monitoring any subtle shifts in the landscape.

In addition to human observation, a range of advanced technologies such as slope radar, 3D laser scanners, and 5G-powered image transmission units have been employed to assist in the monitoring efforts.

"Slope radar technology is not affected by rain, fog, or dust, allowing us to monitor the landslide deformation around the clock, anywhere, anytime. The radar can monitor up to five kilometers away," said Wu Jianjun, the slope radar operator:

Thanks to the vigilance of the safety officers and the use of high-tech monitoring equipment, the efficiency of the rescue operations has been significantly enhanced, and the search area has been expanded into higher zones.

Rescuers intensity monitoring of slope hazards after deadly landslide in Sichuan

The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon has risen to 634, including 91 children and 47 women, while 1,586 people have been wounded, Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nasreddine said at a televised press briefing on Wednesday.

According to Nasreddine, the ongoing hostilities have also severely affected the health sector. He reported 22 attacks on medical facilities and services, including incidents targeting Red Cross ambulances.

The minister added that 15 health workers have been killed and 45 others wounded since the escalation began.

Meanwhile, the conflict has displaced 816,000 Lebanese, according to figures announced by Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Sayed at the same press briefing.

Sayed said that 816,000 people have registered on the ministry's relief platform as displaced. Of them, about 126,000 people are currently sheltering in 589 designated centers across the country.

Sayed added that the government is working on the ground to guide displaced families to available centers and arrange transportation to ensure they reach safe locations.

At least 17 people were injured in Israeli airstrikes targeting multiple areas in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon's Health Ministry reported Wednesday.

In retaliation, Hezbollah started the "Al-Asf Al-Ma'koul" operations, launching rockets intensively toward northern Israel, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.

The group said it launched rocket salvos at multiple Israeli military sites, including the Northern Command headquarters at the Dado base, the Ein Zeitim base, and targets near Safed, Kiryat Shmona, Nahariyya, Haifa, and Lake Tiberias.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it began a "large-scale attack wave of strikes" on Beirut's southern suburb on Wednesday night in response to Hezbollah's rocket launches.

On March 2, Hezbollah announced the launch of rockets from Lebanon toward Israel for the first time since a ceasefire was declared on Nov 27, 2024.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army launched what it described as an "offensive military campaign" against Hezbollah, carrying out intense airstrikes on multiple Lebanese areas and border ground incursions.

Death toll from Israeli attacks in Lebanon rises to 634