Xi calls for emergency search and relief efforts after Nepal disaster hits Xizang border port

President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out rescue and relief efforts after a mudslide on Aug 26 in Nepal caused heavy casualties and left many people missing at a border port in the Xizang autonomous region.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the instruction after the mudslide struck the Gyirong border port, a major land port linking China and Nepal, in Shigatse at around 10:30 am, according to Xinhua News Agency.

As of Aug 27 morning, at least three people had been killed and 558 others remained missing in Gyirong, according to Xinhua.

The president stressed that the top priority now is to make every possible effort to search for and rescue missing people, evacuate residents at risk and provide timely medical treatment to the injured.

He also underlined efforts to strengthen monitoring and early warning, carry out rescue work in a scientific manner and prevent secondary disasters.

Noting that the country is at a critical stage of flood control, Xi emphasized that all local authorities and relevant departments should prepare for worst-case scenarios and extreme situations, and earnestly implement measures for flood and typhoon prevention.

They must also step up efforts to identify and defuse potential risks and hazards, resolutely prevent serious and major disasters and accidents, and effectively protect people’s lives and property, he said.

Premier Li Qiang ordered prompt efforts to verify the number of people missing and affected, conduct all-out relief operations and evacuate people at risk.

He urged the Foreign Ministry to strengthen communication and coordination with relevant countries to share information in a timely manner and work together to properly handle rescue and relief efforts.

Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing led a team to the site to guide rescue and response efforts.

In the wake of the disaster, China activated a Level-II emergency response for disaster relief and a Level-II emergency response for geological disasters, the second-highest in the country’s four-tier emergency response system.

Three central government departments — the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Emergency Management, and the National Development and Reform Commission — have altogether allocated 220 million yuan ($33 million) to support Xizang in carrying out emergency rescue and disaster relief work.

A total of 30,000 central relief items, including tents, stoves, clothing and quilts, folding beds and moisture-proof mats, have been sent to support the evacuation, resettlement and relief work.

The local meteorological bureau forecast continued rainfall across the county of Gyirong from Aug 26 evening through Aug 30, warning of possible floods, landslides and other secondary disasters in low-lying areas.

Meanwhile, the latest reports, citing Nepali officials, put the death toll in the country due to the flash flood-mudslide disaster at more than 160.

Some 484 remained missing on Aug 26, Xinhua reported, citing the Nepali prime minister’s office.

Rescue teams in Nepal had recovered 95 bodies so far, police told Reuters. The massive flash flood swept through areas along the Bhote Koshi River at 9 am, affecting three districts — Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading, officials said.

Nepal’s tourism ministry said some 403 tourists — 341 of them foreigners — were missing from the region, including more than 100 Indians, three US citizens and 12 British nationals.

Sunil Sharma, spokesperson at the Nepal Tourism Board, said the missing tourists also included Australians, Dutch, Malaysians and South Africans, among others. Dozens of local people were also missing.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah has called an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss rescue and relief measures and urged the Himalayan nation to stand united.

Initial reports suggested an earthquake in the area could have triggered an avalanche and caused the floods, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal told the country’s parliament on Aug 26, local media reported.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn