Kathmandu— Restoring road access to the mudslide-hit Gyirong Port remains the top priority as rescue operations continue in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. According to Norbu Tsering, deputy head of the emergency rescue headquarters and acting mayor of Xigaze City, nearly 700 personnel are involved in repairing the G216 national highway leading to the port on the China-Nepal border. The mudslide, caused by an ice-rock avalanche in Nepal, hit Gyirong Port on Aug. 26, claiming 16 lives and leaving 546 others missing.

Road Repair Progress

By around 6 p.m. Tuesday, crews had repaired the highway on a limited basis, allowing search and rescue vehicles access to within some 700 meters of the port. The final stretch of the highway to Gyirong Port was severely damaged by the mudslide, cutting off road access and hampering rescue operations in the disaster area.

Rescue Operations

Rescuers have spent four consecutive days searching a 0.7-square-kilometer area around the border gate using life detectors and other equipment. Heavy rainfall is expected over the next two days, while supplies and additional personnel are being airlifted into the core disaster area to sustain rescue operations.

Support Services

A medical and epidemic prevention team provided medical and psychological support and disinfected affected areas. The team is also working to meet the basic medical and epidemic prevention needs of rescue workers and disaster-affected residents. Additionally, telecom operators in Xizang had restored one base station and added 12 emergency base stations in areas affected by the mudslide.

Meteorological Monitoring

China's meteorological authorities have launched coordinated sky-ground observation for Gyirong Port, employing satellites, weather radars, and ground-based stations to support weather monitoring and forecasting services in the affected areas. The administration has also coordinated the use of observation equipment, including Fengyun meteorological satellites.

(With inputs from Xinhua)

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Originally published on abcnews.com.np.