A full-scale search and rescue operation has been underway in Suichuan County, east China's Jiangxi Province, after a mudslide struck a village on Saturday.
The disaster hit Mingkeng Village at around 4:00 Saturday, triggered by days of torrential rains brought by Typhoon Saudel, according to the local flood control headquarters.
As of 22:00 Saturday, 641 rescuers had arrived at the site and 39 of the 50 affected villagers had been evacuated.
Roads and communications have been largely restored, and 5,339 residents have been relocated to safety, with basic necessities including drinking water, electricity and food supplies available.
Rescue efforts have been challenged by continuing landslides and blocked roads, with further collapses still possible. Rescue teams were forced to withdraw at least once after a small-scale slide during the operation.
The mudslide damaged 12 houses, eight of which were completely destroyed. The volume of debris at the site exceeded 30,000 cubic meters as of 17:00 Saturday, according to the local flood control headquarters.
The National Commission for Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief and the Ministry of Emergency Management of China activated a Level-IV national emergency response for natural disaster relief on Saturday.
The Ministry of Natural Resources raised its geological disaster response for Jiangxi from Level IV to III, and dispatched a working team to the site to guide rescue operations. Meanwhile, Jiangxi Province activated a Level-II emergency response for geological disasters.
China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe.
Rescue in full swing as mudslide hits Jiangxi
