Landslides from rain and aftershocks will impede Sichuan quake rescue efforts
The Central Meteorological Observatory warned of the possibility for landslides or other “geological disasters” as a result of rain or aftershocks from the quake.
Light to moderate rains and mist will sweep across China's quake-hit regions for the next two days said the country’s main meteorological authority, sparking concerns over how transportation and relief work would be affected.
The Central Meteorological Observatory warned of the possibility for landslides or other “geological disasters” as a result of rain or aftershocks from the quake.
With visibility down to 5km, heavy mist will make airdrops of relief supplies more difficult, the observatory said. Roads in quake-stricken areas remain blocked or damaged making delivery by air the most viable way of delivering supplies.
Over the weekend, rescue operations were hampered by a communications shutdown and traffic congestion partly caused by the influx of rescue squads and volunteers to the main scenes of devastation in Lushan and Baoxing counties, near Yaan city.
Rescue efforts and resources would be concentrated in the cities of Yaan and Chengdu where the bulk of causalities were, the National Health and Planning Commission said.
As of Monday afternoon, about 11,000 people have been reported as injured and 21 are missing.
