The nation evacuated stranded tourists from the Unesco World Heritage site of Jiuzhaigou after mudslides triggered by heavy rain, state broadcaster CCTV reported, as authorities issued the highest flash-flood alert for parts of the country in the wake of Typhoon Noul.
Jiuzhaigou, in southwestern Sichuan province, is famous for its fairyland landscape with blue, green and purple pools, snow capped peaks, lakes and multi-tiered waterfalls.
CCTV said yesterday some of the key tourist sites had been closed and stranded tourists were being safely evacuated.
The closures come as China issued its highest alert for flash-floods across multiple provinces after Typhoon Noul, the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year, brought widespread torrential rains across southern and central regions.
“Due to mudslides, starting July 27, the area above Arrow Bamboo Lake (including Arrow Bamboo Lake) in Rize Valley and the entire Zechawa Valley in Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area will be temporarily closed to tourists,” local authorities said.
China’s Water Resources Ministry and the China Meteorological Administration jointly issued a red warning for flash floods from Sunday night through yesterday, warning of high risks in parts of Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu and southeastern Xinjiang.
Mudslides and soil erosion are common in China’s mountainous regions, particularly where steep river valleys intersect, especially during the peak summer rainy season. At least four deadly landslides have occurred across China this month. — Reuters
