MACAO -- The Macao Special Administrative Region government has decided to donate 30 million yuan ($4.42 million) through the Macao Foundation to Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region to support rescue and post-disaster recovery, the Macao SAR Government Information Bureau said Saturday.

Macao SAR Chief Executive Sam Hou-fai recently conveyed condolences to the autonomous region, mourning those who lost their lives and expressing sympathy to their families and people affected by the disaster.

The Macao SAR government said it will make every effort to provide medical and other assistance needed in the affected areas and support post-disaster recovery. It called on all sectors of Macao society to extend assistance to Gyirong in Xizang and help affected residents resume normal life as soon as possible.

Chinese tunnel experts have arrived in Nepal's mudslide-hit region to assist rescue efforts at a damaged hydropower tunnel following a request from the Nepali government, the Ministry of Emergency Management announced on Saturday.

Departing by helicopter from Gyirong county in Xizang autonomous region, which lies just across the Nepali border, the first group of five Chinese tunnel specialists arrived at the disaster site in Nepal late Saturday afternoon and immediately began rescue operations at the tunnel. Gyirong county also suffered heavy losses as a result of the mudslide.

To reinforce the team and meet operational needs, Chinese authorities are rushing an additional four experienced tunnel experts to Nepal, a ministry statement said.

Emergency response and power supply restoration efforts are continuing after the severe mudslide at Gyirong border port in Shigatse, Xizang autonomous region, according to the Shigatse branch of the State Grid Xizang Electric Power Company.

As of 9 am on Saturday, one tower base station had begun supplying power to the newly constructed emergency warehouse, two key parking lots, and 32 resettlement tents at the relocation site in Gyirong township.

Maintenance personnel were dispatched for inspections of equipment, substations and power supply lines, according to the company, dealing with three hazards through live-line work.

A total of 29 ground inspection teams were deployed, using a combination of drone aerial inspections and manual ground verification to conduct four special inspections and one infrared temperature measurement on 48 road crossings and densely populated areas.

Maintenance of the port power station channels and black-start drills were also completed.

A total of 126 repair personnel, 13 generator trucks, 52 generators and 48 lighting equipment units had arrived in the township by Saturday, with another 16 lighting devices supplied by the company on standby in Gyirong county.

HONG KONG -- John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said on Saturday that HK$50 million ($6.37 million) has been earmarked from the Disaster Relief Fund following a mudslide that hit the Gyirong Port in Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region.

In a post on social media, Lee expressed deep sadness over the disaster, mourning the victims and extending his sincere sympathies to those affected and the bereaved families.

Lee hoped that the rescue operations would proceed safely and smoothly, and that the affected residents would receive timely support to overcome the hardships.

He added that the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee will process funding applications expeditiously.

"Is anyone there?" In Gyirong county, Shigatse, Xizang autonomous region, rescue workers are calling out for signs of life, their voices echoing around the mudslide-devastated valleys.

Days after a mudslide tore through Gyirong Port in Shigatse, Xizang autonomous region, search and rescue teams are racing against difficult and hazardous terrain to comb through core areas, maintaining continuous and uninterrupted operations.

After a mudslide struck Gyirong border port, Shigatse, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, engineering crews made robust efforts to reinforce power facilities, ensuring uninterrupted telecommunication connections for rescue operations.

Comprehensive efforts are in motion to reestablish road connectivity to Gyirong Port in Shigatse, Xizang autonomous region, following a devastating mudslide originating in Nepal.

The calamity has inflicted severe damage on the G216 highway, the main access route to the port, creating significant obstacles for rescue and relief operations.

Zhu Feng, chief engineer at China Anneng Construction Group's Chengdu rescue base, said on Saturday that they deployed 60 technicians and 28 pieces of heavy equipment, including excavators and loaders, to the affected area on the G216 highway leading to the port.

Following a disaster risk assessment and monitoring of surrounding hazards, members from the group, a State-owned engineering and rescue enterprise, commenced operations to clear a 2-kilometer damaged section near the port, with the goal of facilitating the efficient implementation of subsequent rescue and disposal efforts, Zhu added.

On Aug 29, a massive mudslide cut off Highway G216 near Gyirong Port, Gyirong county in Shigatse, Xizang autonomous region. To secure this vital rescue passage, the State-owned engineering and rescue enterprise China Anneng Construction Group has deployed 60 specialists and 28 sets of machinery to reopen the roughly 2-kilometer road, with the company’s teams assessing and monitoring potential risks and hazards.

Efforts to reinforce power and base station infrastructure are advancing to ensure uninterrupted communication for rescue operations following a severe mudslide at a border port in Gyirong county in Shigatse, Xizang autonomous region.

On Saturday morning, engineering crews shored up power facilities, guaranteeing uninterrupted telecommunications connections for relief operations.

"Our goal is to ensure that communications keep pace with road clearance, rolling out power facilities and network coverage simultaneously, so that the telecommunications network truly becomes a lifeline for rescue and relief operations," said Kelsang Norbu, manager of the operations and maintenance department for China Tower's Xizang branch, one of the world's largest telecommunications tower infrastructure service providers.

He told China Daily that the immediate priority on Saturday was strengthening auxiliary infrastructure, particularly boosting power supply to facilitate broader network coverage. The team working on reinforcing communication links include members from China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom.

Days after a mudslide tore through Gyirong Port, Xizang autonomous region, search and rescue teams are racing against difficult and hazardous terrain to comb through core areas, maintaining continuous and uninterrupted operations. On Saturday morning, the rescue teams dispatched by the Ministry of Emergency Management and the National Fire and Rescue Administration, continued to search through debris at the mudslide-hit site near Gyirong Port.

LHASA -- Seven people had been killed, and 554 others remained missing, while two local villagers had been rescued as of 1 am on Saturday after a mudslide struck the Gyirong Port along the China-Nepal border in Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, according to the region's emergency management department.

A total of 2,141 rescue workers and 86 specialists from natural resources and other relevant fields have been deployed to the disaster area. With specialized equipment, they have stepped up inspections for geological hazards across surrounding slopes, roads and other critical zones.

A five-person monitoring post has been set up to keep the barrier lake under constant observation and guard against potential secondary disasters.

In addition, 1.02 kilometers of road have been cleared and reopened to traffic.

The mudslide, which occurred on the Nepalese side, struck Gyirong Port in Gyirong county of Xizang on Wednesday morning.

Rescue and road-clearing operations are advancing into the heart of mudslide-stricken Gyirong county in Shigatse, Xizang autonomous region, where vehicles lie twisted and mangled by the force of the disaster.

Since Saturday morning, teams from the Ministry of Emergency Management and National Fire and Rescue Administration have been actively working in the disaster-stricken areas near the Gyirong border port. As excavators assist in the effort, team members are conducting thorough inspections, carefully navigating the region's challenging terrain.

Workers from China Anneng Construction Group, a State-owned engineering and rescue enterprise, told China Daily that they are approximately 1.8 to 2 kilometers from the port, an area severely affected by the massive mudslide that struck Nepal on Wednesday, resulting in significant casualties.

Rescue teams are continuing to push toward the core mudslide-hit area in Gyirong county in Shigatse, Xizang autonomous region, through forested mountains and murky waters, as damaged roads, disrupted utilities, frequent rainfall and an overflowing barrier lake continue to complicate the dogged search for missing people.

Around 4:30 pm on Friday, six members from the first response team of the Xizang fire and rescue brigade and 15 members — along with one search-and-rescue dog — from the first response team of the Sichuan fire and rescue brigade reached the Gyirong border port, which bore the maximum brunt of the deadly mudslide on the Chinese side. These were the first professional rescue teams to reach the core area, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Even as damaged roads, disabled communication systems and snapped power supplies hindered rescue and relief efforts a day after the disaster, workers remained determined to achieve results. They cleared and repaired overnight a nearly 1-kilometer stretch of a 2.8-km approach road to the border gate.

Jigme Dorje, Party chief of the Nyalam maintenance section of the Shigatse highway development center, said eight machines — including four excavators and four loaders — and more than 20 workers were clearing and repairing the road. Local volunteers and enterprises are also supporting their efforts, he added.

Xia Mingyong, from the Lhasa fire and rescue mobile detachment, said the team's rescuers were advancing by land and water. "On land, we are mainly moving toward the border port on foot. In water, we are using rubber boats to reach the severely affected port area," he said.

On Friday, a barrier lake that formed upstream of Gyirong port topped 90 ‌million cubic feet of water, up from the estimated 50-70 million cubic feet recorded on Thursday, raising the risk of secondary disasters, agencies reported. The overflow sparked panic and warnings from Nepalese authorities, leading to rescue operations being suspended in Nepal for about three hours.

The risk of the lake bursting also prompted rescue personnel and vehicles on the Chinese side to be on standby in a safe area, China Central Television reported. Both sides resumed rescue operations after the threat eased.

"By noon, as the risk posed by the upstream barrier lake was deemed manageable, rescue operations for ‌the Gyirong mudslide disaster quickly resumed and were stepped up," CCTV said.

According to a news release by Chinese authorities, a total of 2,096 rescuers, including firefighters, police personnel and medical workers, have been deployed in the county. More than 300 vehicles, drones and two satellite communications vehicles are being used for rescue, evacuation guidance, reconnaissance and frontline communications. Furthermore, 32 experts are conducting on-site surveys of barrier lakes to support decision-making, while a five-member observation post has been set up to monitor the two lakes in real time and prevent secondary disasters.

Fire and rescue teams have set up three task groups to reach the hardest-hit area by rubber boats and by scaling mountains on foot, and for using drones for reconnaissance and supply deliveries. Small teams mobilized in advance are also monitoring the core disaster area and the barrier lake with drones and binoculars.

Local authorities said 499 affected residents have already been resettled and 555 stranded tourists evacuated. Shigatse has allocated more than 15,000 relief items, with additional rescue supplies to be allocated based on actual need.

Wednesday's disaster was triggered by a high-altitude glacier collapse in Nepal. The ice-and-rock collapse evolved into a massive debris flow and then into a forceful mudslide, destroying everything in its path, including the border port.

Meteorological authorities have forecast frequent rainfall through Sunday and warned of possible secondary disasters.

Contact the writers at yangzekun@chinadaily.com.cn

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, chaired a Party leadership meeting on Friday to deliberate and make arrangements to strengthen rescue and relief efforts in the Xizang autonomous region, where the Gyirong land port along the China-Nepal border and its surrounding areas were hit by a catastrophic mudslide on Wednesday morning.

At the start of the meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, and other leaders observed a moment of silence to mourn the victims of the disaster.

As of press time on Friday, five people were confirmed dead and more than 500 still missing in Gyirong county in Xizang's Shigatse. Nepal has reported 579 deaths, while more than 1,900 people are missing there.

On Friday, Xi sent a message of condolence to Nepal's President Ram Chandra Poudel over the mudslide, which was triggered by a high-altitude glacial collapse. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi expressed deep condolences for the deceased and offered sincere sympathies to the bereaved families, the injured and the people in the disaster-stricken areas.

During the Political Bureau meeting, it was noted that emergency rescue operations in Gyirong county in Xizang's Shigatse have so far been carried out in a swift, orderly and well-coordinated manner under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, with comprehensive efforts underway for the resettlement of affected people and for proper handling of the aftermath.

The disaster occurred in a severely cold plateau region with steep valleys, variable weather and many surrounding glaciers and glacial lakes, and potential geological hazards are posing significant challenges to emergency rescue operations, the meeting said. It was emphasized that all relevant authorities and departments should take resolute and effective measures for rescue-related work, search and rescue plans should be formulated in a scientific manner, and every effort should be made to search for and rescue all missing Chinese and foreign nationals.

The Party leadership also underlined the need to strengthen multi-department joint consultations, enhance monitoring and early-warning systems, and closely track the stability of the barrier lake and surrounding mountains to effectively prevent secondary disasters.

It is essential to reinforce the management of on-site personnel to ensure safety throughout the rescue process, the meeting said, urging proper arrangements for the affected people and meticulous attention to post-disaster relief and support.

China will provide emergency aid to the disaster-hit areas in neighboring Nepal and carry out international rescue cooperation, the Party leadership decided.

The importance of balancing development and security, preparing for the extreme and worst-case scenarios, and bearing a strong sense of political responsibility and constant vigilance to ensure security and stability in all aspects of work was emphasized at the meeting.

Meanwhile, Xi, in his condolence message to Poudel, noted that China and Nepal are connected by mountains and rivers and share a common destiny. China is willing to actively aid Nepal in its rescue efforts and provide support and assistance to the best of its capability, he said.

Xi expressed his belief that the people of both countries will be able to work together to prevail over the disaster and rebuild their homes as soon as possible.

Premier Li Qiang also sent a message of condolence to Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

Entrusted by Xi, the Chinese premier traveled to Gyirong county on Thursday to guide rescue and emergency response efforts.

While assessing the ground situation and meeting with rescue teams, Li emphasized the need to put the people and their lives above all else and spare no effort in carrying out rescue operations and emergency response work.

He said that as long as there is a glimmer of hope, every effort should be made to search for and rescue still those missing.

Li later visited temporary shelters for affected residents and conveyed President Xi's concern and care to them.

The premier emphasized the need to continue dispatching and transporting disaster-relief supplies and ensure the basic living needs of evacuated and relocated residents.

Li heard reports from local authorities and relevant departments about the disaster, and discussed further efforts in rescue and emergency response measures.

He highlighted the need to coordinate the deployment of rescue forces and equipment, strengthen on-site unified command and thoroughly ascertain the status of missing persons to conduct effective rescues.

Transparency in the release of information regarding the disaster and rescue operations is crucial, he added.

caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn

There is something especially revealing about politicians who seek to exploit a natural disaster for political gain.

After the catastrophic landslide and flash flood that struck Nepal and China's Xizang autonomous region this week, causing heavy casualties, some secessionist-minded officials of Democratic Progressive Party authorities of China's Taiwan region, including Hsiao Bi-khim and Wu Chao-hsieh sought to capitalize on it.

In their so-called "condolences", they framed the disaster as being at the "Tibet-Nepal border", studiously avoiding any mention of the fact that Xizang is part of China. The wording may look "innocuous" to the casual reader. But it is anything but innocuous. For officials associated with a party whose political project is deeply entangled with separatist thinking, the omission is the message.

What came next was even more grotesque: A pro-DPP media outlet reportedly claimed that Nepal's disaster relief efforts were delayed because "the mainland gave no early warning".

Really?

Scientific evidence points to a cascading geophysical disaster that began on the Nepalese side. A high-altitude glacier collapse sent ice and rock down the mountain, picking up huge quantities of loose debris and eventually generating a devastating mudslide that struck Gyirong Port in Xizang.

Experts have emphasized how little reaction time was available. The flow traveled at roughly 50 meters per second, covering nearly 14 miles in just 6 minutes and 50 seconds, leaving virtually no time to react.

The United States Geological Survey later confirmed there was no earthquake involved and the event was "a glacial collapse and debris flow" that "caused subsequent catastrophic impacts downstream".

Yet somehow a natural catastrophe becomes, in the pro-DPP media outlet's telling, another indictment of Beijing.

Scientists have warned that rising temperatures are destabilizing glaciers, permafrost and high-altitude slopes, increasing the risk of cascading hazards in the Himalayas. The climate crisis is a global challenge, not a convenient accusation to be hurled across the Taiwan Strait.

This is what happens when ideology overrides compassion.

Beijing's response to the disaster was swift. Authorities activated emergency responses, mobilized the military, firefighting and specialist rescue teams, deployed helicopters, drones and heavy equipment, and coordinated with Nepal on search-and-rescue operations.

Beijing also said it was prepared to provide emergency assistance according to Kathmandu's needs.

Many foreign leaders and international organization chiefs, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have expressed grief over the loss of life in both Nepal and China, while the UN said humanitarian partners were supporting relief operations in the two countries. The Taiwan secessionists' response is to turn a landslide into a despicable political spectacle.

The UN's disaster-risk chief later described the catastrophe as a reminder of the "transboundary nature" of disaster risks and the fragility of mountain ecosystems.

Hsiao and Wu may believe that carefully deleting the word "China" makes a political point. It does. It tells grieving families that even in death, tragedy serves ideology for the secessionists of the DPP authorities.

The pro-DPP media outlet, with its ugly performance, has also exposed its true colors as a political tool of the DPP authorities. One that is always ready to stoop to new lows in spreading fake news.

The DPP authorities' brazen attempt to smuggle their separatist agenda into a disaster zone and shamelessly pretend it is compassion has been denounced by people on both sides of the Strait.

The DPP's politicization of this tragedy runs counter to the true feelings of compatriots on the island. While firmly opposing the DPP authorities' separatist opportunism, it should be acknowledged that people on both sides of the Strait have always stood together in times of disaster.

A glacier collapsed. Rivers surged. Mud buried lives. But for some Taiwan secessionists that is free publicity for their cause, not a tragedy to be lamented.

China's national comprehensive fire and rescue force carried out search and rescue operations near Gyirong Port in Shigatse, Xizang autonomous region on Friday.

The Shigatse detachment of the People's Armed Police Force Xizang Contingent was deployed to the area near Gyirong Port for search and rescue operations on Friday.

The Sichuan Fire and Rescue Brigade has deployed a forward command team to assist rescue operations in Gyirong county of Shigatse, Xizang autonomous region, after a deadly mudslide on the Nepal side of the border struck the Gyirong Port area on Wednesday, causing significant casualties and leaving many missing.

Immediately after the disaster, the brigade activated an emergency response and dispatched 155 personnel to the affected area, with a second team of 450 personnel on standby for rescue operations.

At 9 am on Thursday, a 10-member forward command team sent by the brigade arrived at Heping Airport in Shigatse and drove directly to Gyirong town to join frontline rescuers, the brigade said.

A meeting held by the brigade on Thursday morning showed that the rugged terrain, unstable slopes from previous quakes, recent persistent rainfall, and a 2,000-meter elevation drop along the rescue route posed a high risk of new barrier lakes.

The meeting called for around-the-clock monitoring of rescue areas, prevention against secondary disasters to ensure the safety of rescuers, and dedicated logistics and medical support channels to support long-term rescue operations, according to the brigade.

Rescue teams are using ropes to get themselves and rubber boats across torrential rapids in the Xizang autonomous region. They plan to conduct rescue operations by kayak in the mudslide-stricken Gyirong Port in Shigatse.