Rescue efforts are continuing in Beichuan County near the epicenter of the earthquake. But a new danger emerged after a landslide blocked the upper reaches of the Jian River. Upstream of the landslide, a lake has formed and is threatening to burst through the unstable barrier, unleashing lethal floods onto rescue teams working to free survivors in the town below.
1. Lake 2. Landslide 3. Bechuan County
At 1:30 PM yesterday rescue workers were ordered to immediately evacuate the danger area and move to Beichuan High School, which is on higher ground. Meanwhile team leaders held a conference to work out how to move forward with the rescue.
Li Songshi had trekked miles over mountains from Mianyang City to Beichuan to volunteer for the rescue team. He was directing a rescue attempt when the evacuation order came through, and refused to leave. In the end colleagues had to drag him away for his own safety.
"I won't put the lives of the rescue workers at risk," said one of the team leaders. “The rising water level behind the dam is not a hypothetical issue. Experts have arrived to check the situation and we have to consult with them and take their advice on how to proceed.”
As they waited in the school yard, the rescuers had time to grab a bite to eat. Many of the local people were demanding to be re-admitted to the danger area to carry on the rescue, but officials prevented them from returning.
Rescue work was eventually resumed two hours later at 3:30 PM. A well-equipped team of around 200 professional firemen and special policemen moved back down to continue the search for survivors.
Li Songshi and some of the local volunteers were allowed to follow on later. They were told to keep in touch with base and withdraw immediately at the first sign of danger.
(China.org.cn by He Shan, May 15, 2008)