Wednesday 10 July 2013

At least two dead following Sichuan Landslide.

Two people are known to have died and another 21 are missing following a landslide at Sanxi Village in Dujiangyan County, Sichuan Province, China. The incident happened at about 10.20 am local time (2.30 am GMT) on Wednesday 10 July 2013, when a 2 km section of hillside, made up of about 1.5 million cubic meters of mud, rocks and other debris, slumped onto part of the village, following several days of intense rain that have brought the worst flooding in southwest China for 50 years. The dead have been described as one local villager and one tourist. The remainder of the population of the village, and another 340 tourists, have been evacuated.

The approximate location of the 10 July 2013 Sanxi Landslide. Google Maps.

Landslides are a common problem after severe weather events, as excess pore water pressure can overcome cohesion in soil and sediments, allowing them to flow like liquids. Approximately 90% of all landslides are caused by heavy rainfall.


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