Construction has begun to create a memorial park in Zhouqu of northwestern China's Gansu Province to commemorate victims of the massive mudslide that flattened part of the county early August.

A spokesperson with the county government Thursday confirmed the news, which was posted Wednesday on the website of the local Bureau of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

The cost of the project is estimated at around 30 million yuan (US$4.5 million).

A monument will be erected inside the park. Public opinion was sought over the design of the monument, the spokesperson said. The blueprint of the park was compiled by the local Bureau of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

Torrential rain prompted an avalanche of sludge and debris to crash down on the county seat of Zhouqu on Aug. 8, killing at least 1,270 people and ripping many houses off their foundations and tearing multi-story apartment buildings in half.