Avalanche, mud-flow isolate remote Tibetan county pounded by rain

Source: Xinhuanet | 05-17-2007 17:23

LHASA, May 17 (Xinhua) -- There's growing concern for people living in a remote county of Tibet when days of torrential rains have triggered an avalanche and mud-slide closing the only highway to Zayu County isolating more than 22,000 people.

As of Thursday morning no casualties had been reported but there has been little contact with villagers and herders in the area, said the county's publicity office.

"The exact damage in villages and towns is not clear as communication between the county seat and those places has been basically cut," said an official who declined to give his name.

Zayu has received more than 140 millimeters of rainfall since Monday, more than half of the county's monthly average for May, according to the official.

Located in southeastern Tibet, Zayu County borders India and Myanmar and has a total population of 26,200, including 22,700 farmers and herders living in remote villages. More than 70 percent are Tibetan.

More than 1,000 cubic meters of snow covered a 90-meter-long stretch of highway, while the mud slide left a 35-meter-deep gullyon another section of the road, he said.

The prefecture government of Nyingchi and neighboring county of Bomi have sent work crews to repair the highway and communication facilities.

Meanwhile, the local government has also sent relief supplies including food and quilts, to the affected area, said the official.

The regional weather office said rains would continue on Thursday, with lighter rains predicted for Friday.

Editor:Du Xiaodan