Liangshui

Clutching a steaming cup of tea, a villager in Liangshui, Yunnan province, felt the ground tremble beneath his feet. It was just before dawn on a frigid Monday morning in January 2019. Suddenly, the earth gave way. A landslide, triggered by the collapse of a steep cliff above the village, buried 18 homes. Liangshui, a small village nestled in the Zhenxiong county, became the scene of a devastating natural disaster. The landslide, a massive wave of earth and debris measuring 100 meters wide and 60 meters high, crashed down, burying 47 people alive. Rescue efforts began immediately, but the conditions were treacherous. Snow, icy roads, and freezing temperatures hampered the rescue crews. By nightfall, 11 bodies had been recovered. About 500 people were evacuated from the area, seeking refuge from the unforgiving weather. One survivor, Luo Dongmei, recounted the terrifying experience. She and her family were asleep when her brother woke them, urging them to flee. The shaking bed and the sound of the approaching landslide were their only warning. They escaped with their lives, but others weren’t so lucky. Luo Dongmei, her husband, and their three children found shelter in a local school, along with other displaced villagers. Food was provided, but they huddled together, desperate for blankets and protection from the biting cold. As she waited, Luo Dongmei could only hope for news of her sister and aunt, who lived closer to the landslide’s path. The tragedy at Liangshui serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the vulnerability of communities in remote, mountainous regions. The freezing weather added another layer of hardship to the already dire situation. The search for survivors continued, but hope dwindled with each passing hour.