Society

Severe weather delays copter rescue in Xinjiang

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-31 18:05

URUMQI - Severe weather conditions had delayed the helicopter evacuation of more than 700 people trapped by floods in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, local authorities said Saturday.

Related readings:  Floods trap some 100 people in Xinjiang  China braces for more floods as downpours continue  Floods kill 928, cost US$26 billion in China by July 28  Floods kill 13 in NE China

A helicopter from the Xinjiang Military Command reached Kuqa Airport Friday but as of 3:30 p.m. Saturday it had been unable to fly to the flood-hit area in Kuqa County, Aksu Prefecture, a prefectural government spokesman said.

Floods have inundated roads and damaged three bridges and 12 buildings in the county. Rockfalls, rain and damaged roads have hindered the rescue operations. As of 3 p.m., only 26 of the 700 people trapped near Dalongchi Lake on Tianshan Mountain had been rescued, the spokesman said.

The 700 people, trapped since Thursday, include tourists, locals and construction workers. No casualties had been reported.