Persistent rain likely to threaten rescue operations at Xizang's Gyirong Port: epxert

Continued heavy rainfall in the coming days will threaten rescue operations and raise the risk of secondary disasters at the Gyirong Port on the China-Nepal border following a devastating mudslide, according to a chief forecaster from China’s National Meteorological Center.

The deadly mudslide, triggered by an ice and rock avalanche in Nepal, hit the border port of Gyirong in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, killing 16 and leaving 546 missing, according to local authorities.

"The Gyirong Port to Gyirong Town area has seen heavy rainfall over the past few days, with precipitation mainly occurring during nighttime hours. From the night of August 30 to the morning of the 31st, Gyirong Port recorded about 20 millimeters of rainfall. Looking ahead, from August 31st to September 2nd, the Gyirong Zangbo and Dongling Zangbo river basins, as well as areas near the port, will continue to experience significant rainfall, with moderate to heavy downpours at times. Along the transport routes from Xigaza to Gyirong County and then to Gyirong Port, rainfall will make roads slippery, significantly affecting traffic and rescue operations,” said Ma Xuekuan, chief forecaster at the National Meteorological Center.

The warning comes as rescue teams work to reopen the damaged G216 national highway -- a major highway leading to Gyirong Port.

By Monday noon, about 533 meters of the road had been repaired, with about 1.15 kilometers remaining to be reopened to the port, rescuers from China Anneng Group said.

Ma warned that the persistent rainfall should be closely monitored as it could lead to rising water levels and further flood risks.

"Traffic safety is a major concern. In addition, the notable areal precipitation over the Gyirong Zangbo and Dongling Zangbo basins requires close monitoring of upstream water inflows and river convergence, which could lead to rising water levels. At the same time, the meteorological risk of geological disasters along Gyirong Port and the transport routes remains high. Therefore, we must pay close attention to the adverse impacts of rising water levels and geological hazards on rescue efforts," Ma said.

"Furthermore, with pronounced nighttime rainfall and low temperatures, rescue personnel should stay warm and dry at night, and both relief supplies and engineering machinery should avoid low-lying areas during nighttime hours," he added.

Persistent rain likely to threaten rescue operations at Xizang's Gyirong Port: epxert

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a "unique organization" focused on connectivity, pragmatism and independence, according to the former prime minister of Kyrgyzstan Djoomart Otorbaev.

This year's SCO summit, which marks the 25th anniversary of the organization's founding, is taking place in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek from Monday to Tuesday.

Themed "25 Years of the SCO: Together Towards Sustainable Peace, Development, and Prosperity", the summit has brought together leaders from more than 20 countries.

Speaking in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Sunday, Otorbaev said that SCO member states can look beyond differences in political systems and economic models and pursue win-win outcomes through dialogue, connectivity and pragmatism.

"It's a unique organization. Connectivity in SCO means that we are connected not only by railway, but in making dialogue with each other. Trade, investments, transport, energy, connectivity, moving very quickly. Without doubt, it’s China to Central Asian countries, we're doing very well. So, connectivity,” he said.

He also stressed that greater independence and self-reliance can help drive development and prosperity across the region.

"Number two is pragmatism. If you look to those 10 full members of the SCO, they are exploring different political systems, different economic models. But instead of arguing who is better, we are telling, let's get win-win, let's be pragmatic. If we will be pragmatic together, we will be delivering to our nations, to our people, better results. Then we have to look to the future - independence. We are not against anybody, but we say we will be stronger if we are independent from other models of economic and political development. In that respect, this is the key that we rely on our own strength. Only our own nations, our own people, will make us stronger and more prosperous." he said.

Connectivity, pragmatism, independence define SCO: Former Kyrgyz PM