Country pounded by year of disasters
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China witnessed 19,522 geologic hazards in the first half of this year, up 932 percent year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Land and Resources.
The disasters left 464 people dead or missing, up 177 percent over the same period last year, the ministry said.
One of the latest geological disasters occurred in Xiaohe township of Southwest China's Yunnan province on Wednesday, in which rain-triggered floods and landslides killed at least 19 people.
Rescuers were still searching for 26 who are still missing, while 43 injured have been injured, the local government said on Thursday.
Yin Yueping, a researcher with China Geological Survey under the Ministry of Land and Resources, said the sharp increase in geological hazards is mainly due to climatic disorders.
"This year we've seen very unusual weather. First came a big drought in Southwest China and then massive downpours in southern, central and eastern regions," he told China Central Television.
Yin said some construction projects located in inappropriate areas are also to be blamed.
Compared with counties or cities, there are more hidden risks of geologic hazards in villages, he said, adding a nationwide inspection on such dangers is necessary.
