▲ Massive Landslide and Flood in Tibet Autonomous Region Bordering Nepal
Rain has been forecast for the next three days in the landslide-hit region of Tibet, China.
Concerns are growing that the weather will disrupt rescue and search operations, while also increasing the likelihood of secondary disasters such as additional landslides.
According to China Central Television (CCTV) and other reports today (the 27th), light to moderate rain or thundershowers are forecast to persist through the 30th across most areas of Gyirong County in Xigaze, Tibet Autonomous Region, where the landslide occurred.
Local meteorological authorities warned that heavy rain, particularly in low-lying areas, could trigger localized landslides and floods.
With light rain currently falling at the accident site and the potential for further collapses of surrounding slopes, rescue operations are proving difficult.
Chinese media reported that given the narrow gorges and roads blocked by debris in various places, continued rainfall could make it even harder for rescue personnel and heavy equipment to access the site.
An official from China's Ministry of Natural Resources stated, "This region has a complex terrain with an altitude difference of over 3,000 meters between the mountains, and features glaciers and glacial lakes near the peaks."
The official emphasized, "As this is a high-altitude canyon area, local weather conditions must be closely monitored. Due to the narrow and rugged terrain, extreme caution must be exercised regarding the risks of landslides and falling rocks on roads used by rescue personnel and equipment."
The massive landslide has also severed roads, communications, and power lines connecting to the affected area.
CCTV reported that with debris covering the roads, it is difficult for heavy rescue equipment to enter the core disaster zone.
Rescue personnel, including military forces, armed police, and firefighters, are arriving at the scene one after another.
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theater Command has deployed heavy military transport aircraft, including the Y-20, as well as drones and helicopters, to assist in the rescue operations.
One Y-20 transport plane took off from an air base in southwestern China carrying the Western Theater Command command team at around 8:02 a.m. today, arriving at a plateau airport in Tibet at around 10:30 a.m.
The command team plans to coordinate rescue forces locally to carry out damage assessments, road restoration, searches for the missing, and the evacuation of residents.
The Western Theater Command also dispatched drones to the affected area late last night to reconnoiter the situation.
Plateau-type Mi-171 helicopters and rescue personnel have been sequentially deployed to the site, while the Ministry of Emergency Management, the National Fire and Rescue Administration, and military authorities have additionally rushed specialized personnel and equipment to the area.
Authorities have reportedly deployed personnel for power and communications restoration, along with satellite phones, mobile generators, and lighting equipment.
Rescue authorities explained that clearing the accumulated debris in the Gyirong Port area of Gyirong County, Xigaze—the core affected zone—is the most urgent task.
The debris from the landslide extended about 2.5 kilometers from Gyirong Port, with sediment depths reaching up to 1.5 meters in some areas.
As of 8:00 a.m. today, the landslide has left 3 people dead and 558 missing, including 260 foreign nationals among the missing.
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