Chinese President Xi Jinping gave instructions on the rescue and relief work after deadly mountain torrents struck northwest China's Gansu Province, demanding all-out efforts to find missing people.
Since Thursday, continuous heavy rains triggered mountain torrents in parts of Gansu, including Lanzhou's Yuzhong County. As of 15:30 on Friday, the disaster had left 10 people dead and 33 missing.
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Xi urges all-out rescue efforts following mountain torrents in Gansu
Xi urges all-out rescue efforts following mountain torrents in Gansu
Xi urges all-out rescue efforts following mountain torrents in Gansu
Xi urges all-out rescue efforts following mountain torrents in Gansu
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made important instructions and set out the priorities for the emergency response, urging using every possible means to search for the missing and evacuate the people at risk.
He called for efforts to minimize casualties and restore communications and road access as soon as possible.
On the frequent occurrence of extreme weather lately, Xi urged all regions and relevant departments to stay vigilant, strengthen forecasts and early-warnings, intensify risk screening and remediation, reinforce emergency response, and carry out flood-control and disaster-relief efforts in a targeted manner to ensure public safety during the flood season.
Premier Li Qiang also instructed that every effort should be made to search for and rescue the missing victims, and for emergency rescue operations to proceed at full strength. He noted that damaged communications and transportation facilities should be repaired quickly, and that affected residents be evacuated and resettled promptly.
Li stressed that with China still in the critical flood period from late July to early August, the office of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters should guide localities and relevant departments to heighten vigilance, fulfill responsibilities, strengthen monitoring and early-warning of rain and flood conditions, and improve disaster prevention and response so as to minimize casualties to the greatest extent.
Following the leaders' instructions, the Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a work group to the site to guide the search-and-rescue efforts.
Xi urges all-out rescue efforts following mountain torrents in Gansu
Xi urges all-out rescue efforts following mountain torrents in Gansu
Xi urges all-out rescue efforts following mountain torrents in Gansu
Xi urges all-out rescue efforts following mountain torrents in Gansu
