The Ministry of Natural Resources has announced that, based on meteorological forecasts and assessments from its Geological Disaster Technical Guidance Center, persistent heavy rainfall is expected to continue in central and eastern Sichuan over the next three days, with a high risk of localized geological disasters.

In response, the Ministry of Natural Resources activated a Level IV geological disaster defense response for Sichuan at 10:00 AM on July 29.

The Ministry has instructed the Sichuan Provincial Department of Natural Resources to heighten risk awareness and vigilance, strengthen bottom-line and extreme thinking, and attach great importance to preventing and responding to geological disasters triggered by heavy rainfall. It requires timely organization of inspections and patrols, and thorough implementation of monitoring and early warning, consultation and judgment, disaster and danger situation handling, duty值守, and information reporting.

Additionally, the China Geological Survey and the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Geological Disaster Technical Guidance Center have been directed to enhance consultation and expert dispatch, and to fully assist local authorities in geological disaster defense efforts.