Landslide in China

Bodies of the 18 school children are searched for after the landslide

On Thursday October 4, 2012 a landslide hit Zhenhe, a village in Yunnan province in southwestern China leaving a total of 19 people dead. Eighteen of them were elementary school children who were attending class at the Tiantou Elementary School. The landslide dammed a river and caused a pool of water that was 45 feet across and 21 feet deep. This pool made rescue difficult and caused 800 people to evacuate. As of now the cause of the landslide is undetermined. This part of the Yunnan province has been hit with heavy rains is prone to earthquakes. Last month earthquakes left 81 people dead and devastated parts of the village. In China, Thursday was a National Holiday but children were attending classes to make up for days that were missed due to these earthquakes.

This area of China is prone to landslides due to the mountainous terrain, heavy rains, and earthquakes. Its dense population and low income make it vulnerable to disasters. If the country was able to provide proper mitigation strategies, such early weather forecasting, alerts before a natural hazard was to take place, better building structures, and so forth it, it would help reduce the impact these hazards have on the communities.

This picture shows rescuers searching for victims after the landslide

Article Source: 

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/landslide-hits-chinese-school-killing-19-students-17402495

Image Source:

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/pb-121004-chinaLandslide-03.jpg  
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/pb-121004-chinaLandslide-02.photoblog900.jpg