More than 2,000 tourists stranded at two scenic areas in southwest China's Yunnan Province have been safely evacuated after heavy rainfall triggered geological hazards and rapidly rising river levels.
Persistent downpours have sharply increased the risk of geological disasters in mountainous areas. In recent days, a mudslide struck the Wudi Lake scenic area in Shangri-La City, trapping more than 2,000 tourists and over 300 vehicles in the mountains.
After more than four hours of continuous rescue efforts, all stranded people were safely evacuated. Separately, rapidly rising river levels at the Tiger Leaping Gorge scenic area in Lijiang left some visitors stranded. As of 7:05 p.m. on July 18, all stranded tourists had been safely evacuated.
At around 2:30 p.m. on July 16, continuous heavy rainfall triggered a mudslide on an internal road at the Wudi Lake scenic area. Large amounts of rocks and mud swept down the mountainside, destroying the scenic area's only access road and trapping more than 2,000 tourists and over 300 vehicles in the mountains. Nine vehicles were buried by the mudslide to above wheel level.
Police officers, scenic area staff and local villagers quickly mobilized to carry out emergency rescue operations. After more than four hours of intensive work, all stranded people were safely evacuated, with no casualties reported.
Staff at the Wudi Lake scenic area confirmed that the road was cleared on the afternoon of July 16 and has since reopened to traffic.
On July 18, localized heavy rainfall caused the river level at the Yuxin Bridge section of the Tiger Leaping Gorge scenic area in Lijiang to rise rapidly, temporarily blocking part of the tourist walkway and leaving some visitors stranded.
Following the incident, the scenic area immediately activated its emergency response plan and coordinated with local government authorities, fire and rescue services, emergency management agencies and culture and tourism departments to reopen the walkway and evacuate visitors.
As of 7:05 p.m., all stranded tourists had been safely evacuated. No casualties or major property damage were reported. The scenic area has been temporarily closed.
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