China witnesses 19,522 geologic hazards this year

Beijing, July 16 (ANI): China witnessed 19,522 geologic hazards in the first half of this year, up 932 percent year-on-year, leaving 464 people dead or missing, which is up 177 percent over the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Land and Resources.

According to The China Daily, one of the latest geological disasters occurred in Xiaohe township of Southwest China's Yunnan province on Wednesday, in which rain-triggered floods and landslides killed at least 19 people.

Rescuers were still searching for 26 who are still missing, while 43 injured have been injured till reports last came in.

Yin Yueping, a researcher with China Geological Survey under the Ministry of Land and Resources, said the sharp increase in geological hazards is mainly due to climatic disorders.

"This year we've seen very unusual weather. First came a big drought in Southwest China and then massive downpours in southern, central and eastern regions," he said.

Yin said that some construction projects located in inappropriate areas are also to be blamed and added that compared with counties or cities, there are more hidden risks of geologic hazards in villages.

He urged for a nationwide inspection to tackle such dangers. (ANI)