CHINESE MILITARY CLEARS LANDSLIDE DEBRIS BLOCKING RIVER

09.08.2010 [15:25]
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Baku, August 9 (AZERTAC). Rescue teams cleared debris holding back potential flood waters in northwestern China Monday, where massive mudslide have left at least 127 people dead and some 1,300 missing, state-run media reported.

The Chinese military used explosives to blast the blockage in the Bailong River, in Gansu Province, a spokesman with the emergency rescue headquarters told China`s Xinhua news agency. Excavators also were used to remove the debris and start a controlled release of the water.

Authorities report 76 people have been injured and about 45,000 have been evacuated from Zhouqu County in the country`s northwest, according to a statement from the provincial civil affairs department.

The landslides occurred early Sunday morning after heavy rains started pummeling the area Saturday, authorities said. On Sunday afternoon, Premier Wen Jiabao and other government officials arrived at the mountainous region to survey the damage, according to Xinhua.

Wen also insisted that electricity be restored and traffic resumed in Zhouqu County as soon as possible.

The premiere sludged through the mud and rocks in the badly hit Sanyan Valley, where some 300 households were totally submerged by the mudslides, Xinhua reported.

The mudslides caused the Bailong River to become obstructed and overflow, and sent water rushing over its banks, state-run CCTV reported.

The water level in the county seat of Chengguan Township had receded by 40 cm (16 inches) Sunday, after floodwaters carrying mud and rocks submerged half the town, Mao Shengwu, head of the prefecture, told the news agency.

CHINESE MILITARY CLEARS LANDSLIDE DEBRIS BLOCKING RIVER

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