China - Earthquake OCHA Situation Report No. 1

Ref. OCHA/GVA - 2003/0110
OCHA Situation Report No. 1
China - Earthquake
occurred on 21 July 2003

This situation report is based on information provided by the UN Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) in Beijing, as well as media reports.

Event and Impact

1. On Monday 21 July, a strong earthquake hit Yunnan province in southeast China, destroying thousands of mud-brick houses while people were sleeping. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred with a magnitude of 6.0 and depth of 10 km at 23:16 local time (15:16 UCT). The epicenter was 25. 96 degrees north and 101.19 degree east, and located in the town of Tanhua in Dayao County, 180 kilometres northwest of the provincial capital Kunming,

2. The tremor has affected around 1 million people in 70 townships in 10 counties. At least 16 people were killed and nearly 400 injured. More than 18,000 housing units have collapsed and 328,000 units have been damaged. A total of 396 large animals were killed. The total economic loss is estimated at CNY 620 million (US$ 75 million).

3. The most seriously-affected areas are mountainous regions. Landslides caused by the quake, heavy rain, the mountainous terrain as well as hundreds of aftershocks have seriously impeded rescue efforts. Relief supplies for victims in the most remote areas could only be delivered on foot or on horseback. Food, tents and medicine are in short supply. Transportation and telecommunication infrastructure equipment in the quake-hit areas were seriously damaged.

National Response

4. More than 2,000 soldiers, armed police and militia reserves arrived in the quake-hit area to provide relief and help the rescue effort. In addition, a 20-strong team of experts organized by the China Seismological Bureau traveled to the area to provide assistance. The provincial government sent two teams of officials and experts to assess the situation and help organize rescue work.

5. As of 22 July, 1,100 tents, 100 tons of grain, 5,000 quilts and a batch of clothing and medicine had been transferred to the quake-hit areas by local departments of civil affairs. The Chuxiong Prefecture has allocated CNY 1million (USD 121,000) in emergency funding to the worst-hit county of Dayao.

6. OCHA has not received any request for international assistance from the Government.

7. OCHA is in close contact with the UNDMT in Beijing, and will revert with further information, if it becomes available.

8. This situation report, together with information on other ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int

MAP - China Earthqauke Situation Map

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