Urgent evacuation and rescue operations have been underway since Saturday in southwest China's Yunnan Province following days of heavy rainfall that triggered geological disasters, affecting thousands of residents in the region.
In Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, landslides, mudslides and floods have blocked multiple roads, with dense fog further complicating transportation.
Starting early Saturday, the local fire department deployed 21 vehicles and 108 personnel to assist with evacuation and rescue operations across the affected areas. The road maintenance department has also been working around the clock to repair damaged roads and keep key routes open for rescue efforts.
By Sunday evening, 27 households and shops in the danger zone had been evacuated, 138 trapped individuals had been rescued, and 331 people had been relocated to safety.
In Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, torrential rains have caused widespread damage to roads, homes, crops, and other infrastructure, affecting thousands of residents.
Following the disaster, local authorities swiftly activated the emergency response plan, notified residents through radio and social media, and efficiently coordinated evacuation efforts.
A team of experts has been dispatched to the affected area to assess potential hazards and implement preventive measures.
In addition, more than 11,000 people have joined the rescue efforts, and over 1,000 emergency vehicles have been deployed to ensure prompt and effective operations.
As of 12:00 on Sunday, Nujiang had urgently relocated 1,797 residents, with no fatalities reported so far.
Meteorological authorities warn that more rainfall is expected in both prefectures in the coming days, keeping the risk of landslides, mudflows and flash floods at a high level.
Evacuation, rescue efforts underway in Yunnan amid geological disasters
The 36th extraordinary session of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) concluded on Thursday in London, with member states split over who should be held accountable for the closure of the Hormuz Strait.
As a specialized UN agency, the IMO's responsibility is to safeguard global shipping safety and the rights and interests of seafarers. At the meeting, all parties had obvious differences regarding the root causes of the situation and the wording of the documents.
According to data provided by the IMO, since the outbreak of the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, at least seven seafarers have been killed in attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz area, with several others seriously injured. Around 20,000 seafarers remain stranded aboard ships in the region.
Some countries urged condemning the actions of certain country that led to the blockade, while others believe that the root cause of the current maritime tensions in the Middle East lies in the military action launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, and that unilaterally blaming one country is neither objective nor comprehensive.
Multiple representatives emphasized that the IMO should not serve as a platform for political confrontation. They called for balanced, neutral language in resolutions and urged the organization to focus on pragmatic measures within the framework of IMO regulations to safeguard maritime corridors.
Iran's delegate pointed out that the IMO must not become a tool for political pressure, and any coordination on navigation security must involve Iran.
The Russian delegate warned that current international maritime declarations appear biased and one-sided, which hinders efforts to ease the crisis. He called on the IMO to adopt a more balanced stance.
China's delegate echoed the need for inclusive and impartial language, proposing that the resolutions reflect a constructive consensus rather than unilateral accusations. The Chinese side also suggested that language condemning or opposing military actions that lead to the escalation of tensions in the Strait should be added to proposal.
The IMO Council highlighted the urgent need to address the peril faced by numerous stranded commercial ships. It encouraged exploring frameworks, such as maritime safety corridors, as an emergency humanitarian measure to facilitate the voluntary evacuation of ships from high-risk zones to safer waters.
Regarding the U.S. proposal to provide naval escort operations, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said that naval escorts are not a long-term sustainable solution to the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, and only an end to the conflict can prevent shipping from becoming collateral damage.
While acknowledging that the root causes of the crisis lie beyond the IMO's mandate, he said he would continue to work with countries engaged in diplomatic efforts to address the situation.
Over the past few days, U.S. President Donald Trump has urged European countries and other allies to join naval escort operations in the Strait of Hormuz. However, European powers have largely rebuffed the request, citing concerns that direct military involvement would escalate regional tensions and risk drawing them into a wider conflict.
IMO members divided over accountability for closure of Hormuz Strait
