Chinese meteorological authorities pledge greater support for rescue at mudslide-hit border port in Xizang

BEIJING -- Meteorological services will be further bolstered to support rescue and relief operations at mudslide-hit Gyirong Port in Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, the China Meteorological Administration announced Tuesday.

The administration urged meteorological departments at all levels to take on responsibilities and strengthen monitoring, forecasting, early warning and risk assessment to provide support for rescue efforts.

The administration called for enhancing coordination among national, regional, county and municipal meteorological departments and making full use of emergency meteorological support teams and expert teams at the site.

New technologies and methods will be applied to monitoring, forecasting, early warning and risk assessment for potential weather events around the rescue site and surrounding areas, an official said.

The administration also vowed to enhance international cooperation and technological innovation to accelerate the improvement of risk perception and emergency response capabilities.

The deadly mudslide, caused by an ice-rock avalanche in Nepal, hit Gyirong Port on Aug 26, claiming 16 lives and leaving 546 people missing at the border port, according to the regional government's latest update.