The death toll has risen to 38 in the devastating mudslide that
hit the countryside near Yueqing City in east China's Zhejiang
Province last Friday. Nine villagers remain missing, local
sources confirmed on Thursday.
By noon Thursday, the three townships of Longxi, Fuxi and
Xianxi, which were badly damaged by the avalanche of mud and rock,
had restored power, road access and communications, according to
the Flood and Drought Control Office of Yueqing City.
The mudslide was caused by the heavy rainfall from Typhoon
Rananim, which ravaged the province on August 12.
According to the Flood and Drought Control Office, the disaster
struck three mountain townships in the northern section of the city
early in the morning of August 13, killing 25 villagers
immediately.
The Yueqing municipal government has allocated 30 million yuan
(US$3.6 million) in relief funds and assigned more than 300 people
to search for the missing villagers and restore infrastructure.
Each victim's family has received an allowance of 20,000 yuan
(US$2,400) from the government, according to Mayor Huang
Zhengqiang.
The government also issued rice, pork, salt, vegetables and
mineral water to the villages, as the catastrophe cut off water and
food supplies.
Huang said the municipal government plans to relocate several of
the villages to safer locations before February 2005.
Meanwhile,?the municipal government?has solicited
donations from local enterprises and asked the villagers to help
themselves and resume production as soon as possible.
(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2004)