One village has been struck by a landslide that has killed at least five people and 12 others are missing from an isolated area in northwestern China
An emergency workers continue to search and rescue for those buried under the landslide as houses were buried and citizens were cut off from the disaster site.
Local authorities reacted quickly when they reported the landslide and the rescue operations have taken place (rescue personnel, firefighters, police officers, medical teams, and heavy machinery to the location).
Search teams have been working 24/7 to locate the people trapped under the rubble because of the terrain and the adverse weather conditions.
So many houses were destroyed or severely damaged when that hillside collapsed, officials said. Residents said they heard a loud rumble and then tons of soil and rocks were thrown across the ground and fell down, leaving them little time for escape.
People living at home were evacuated to safer locations as authorities assessed the risk of more landslides.
Emergency responders are using excavators, drones, search dogs and life-detection equipment to locate missing individuals.
The unstable ground and the possibility of more soil movement have hampered rescue efforts and teams are moving slowly and cautiously to meet the deadline.
Medical teams have established temporary treatment centers near the disaster zone to provide immediate care for injured residents and rescue workers.
Families displaced by the disaster have also been housed in temporary shelters, food supplies, drinking water and other essentials have also been set up.
Although the exact reason for the landslide is still not known, experts say heavy rains have weakened the hillside and its collapse is more imminent.
Mountainous areas in China are especially prone to landslides during periods of heavy rainfall, and a mountainside and heavily sloping hillside will come under pressure from the heavy rains.
China had been experiencing a series of severe weather-related disasters in recent years and the government had to beef up disaster monitoring systems and early warning systems.
The weather status monitors are being closely monitored to prevent more disasters that would have led to disaster and to protect the people in the vicinity of the cities.
The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of sympathy across the country as rescue efforts continue. Families of the missing remain at the scene waiting for news and updates as emergency workers dig through mud and debris.
There will be rescue work until all missing people are accounted for. Geologists are also assessing the situation to see whether there is still a need for more evacuations.
However, recovery efforts are a reminder of the increasing threat of extreme weather and geological hazards.
Early warning systems, emergency response and community preparedness must be taken seriously to minimize the effects of natural disasters, experts say.
The rescue teams remain hopeful that there are still survivors alive and local authorities are in touch with search teams and local agencies are working with the search team to coordinate relief efforts and assist families affected by such disasters.
The situation is very fluid and officials will provide further updates as search operations continue.
