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E-mail China.org.cn, November 6, 2024
The New Times:
In recent years, we've seen an intensification in global climate change and a rise in extreme weather events. How have these factors affected the occurrence and patterns of geological and marine disasters? What strategies are being considered to address these challenges in the future? Thank you.
Liu Guohong:
We'll ask Mr. He to answer your questions.
He Guangshun:
Thank you for your questions. Global climate change has led to more frequent extreme rainfall events in recent years. Consequently, China has experienced an intensification of geological disasters and a rise in the frequency of marine disasters. Facing this situation, the MNR has adhered to the principle of "putting people and their lives first," proactively implementing preventive and responsive measures to address these challenges.
In terms of geological disaster prevention, we've enhanced monitoring and early warning systems using both human and technological approaches, steadily improving our community-level capacity for disaster prevention and mitigation. To build a people-based risk prevention system, we've guided local authorities to enhance training and drills for grassroots officials, over 260,000 community monitoring and prevention personnel, and professional teams. These individuals conduct dynamic inspections of hidden dangers and risk areas, using gongs, whistles and warning broadcasts to help alert and evacuate people once danger is detected. For example, on July 16 this year, a mudslide risk was identified in Jiuzhaigou county, Sichuan province, and more than 400 people were evacuated in time, preventing potential casualties. To create a technology-based risk prevention system, we've implemented a four-tier warning system for weather-induced geological disasters across national, provincial, city and county levels, deploying automated equipment like Beidou movement monitors at more than 66,000 high-risk locations. For example, during the July 19 landslide disaster in Xishan township of Mangshi city, Yunnan province, our monitoring system issued a warning one hour in advance, allowing for timely evacuation of over 30 people and averting potential casualties. Since the beginning of this year, we've successfully predicted over 550 geological disasters nationwide, facilitating the advance evacuation of more than 6,700 people. Over the past decade, we've seen a 74% reduction in deaths and missing persons due to geological disasters compared to the previous 10-year period.
In terms of marine disaster prevention, especially for marine dynamic disasters, we've conducted investigations and risk assessments for storm surges, waves, tsunamis and rising sea levels, delimiting key marine disaster prevention areas. China's homegrown "Mazu" series of marine forecasting models have been deployed, markedly enhancing the precision and speed of disaster predictions during our response to this year's 11th and 13th typhoons, Yagi and Bebinca. To prevent marine ecological disasters, we've implemented cross-regional joint measures to control Enteromorpha green tide in the Yellow Sea, tackling the issue at its source and removing algae early on. As a result, this year's disaster has had the least impact on the coastal regions in Shandong province in recent years. Compared to the previous decade, direct economic losses and the number of deaths and missing people caused by marine disasters have decreased by 62% and 85%, respectively, in the past 10 years.
Next, we will further enhance disaster monitoring methods and increase the accuracy and timeliness of disaster forecasting and early warnings. We'll also strengthen capacity building and personnel training at the community level, while continuously conducting inspections and rectifications of hidden dangers and risk areas. These efforts aim to enhance our capability to prevent and respond to geological and marine disasters. Thank you.
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