Gansu Mudslide Disaster

Date: August 8, 2010 • Location: Mawu, China

A massive mudslide in the Chinese province of Gansu killed at least 1,471 people.

A deadly mudslide in Zhouqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, China occurred at midnight on 8 August 2010. It was the deadliest individual disaster related to the 2010 China floods. The mudslides killed more than 1,471 people as of 21 August 2010, while 1,243 others have been rescued and 294 remain missing. The missing were presumed dead as officials ordered locals to stop searching for survivors or bodies to prevent the spread of disease. Over 1,700 people evacuated had to temporarily live in schools. The floods and mudslide were triggered after decades of clearcut logging practices had reduced the ability of the watershed to absorb heavy rainfall.