In a challenging scenario, approximately 1,000 tourists find themselves trapped in Hemu village, a picturesque destination in China’s northwestern Xinjiang region, following a series of avalanches. With snow reaching staggering heights and adverse weather conditions hindering evacuation, rescue operations are underway to ensure the safety of those stranded.
Road access to Hemu village has been severed due to avalanches, with the village located near the borders of Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia. The Altay Prefecture in Xinjiang, where Hemu is situated, has experienced continuous snowfall for ten days, exacerbating the avalanche risks and complicating rescue efforts.
Dozens of avalanches have been reported along highways in the Altay mountains leading to the Kanas scenic area. Helicopters have been employed to airlift some tourists to safety, but a significant number remains in the village. The snow brought down by avalanches measures as high as seven meters in certain areas, surpassing the capabilities of snow clearing equipment.
Clearing the 50-kilometer stretch of road buried under snow began a week ago, but progress has been impeded by the magnitude of snow, debris, and tree branches mixed in the avalanche aftermath. The rescue teams are facing challenges in utilizing traditional rotary snowplow vehicles, resorting to shovels and excavators to navigate through the difficult terrain.
Weather changes swiftly in the mountainous region, further narrowing the windows for conducting supply missions. The military helicopter, intended to deliver essential supplies such as flour and fuel to Hemu village, faced delays on Tuesday morning.
Highway management authorities in Altay have mobilized 53 personnel and 31 sets of machinery and equipment for the ongoing rescue and relief operations. The head of the highway management bureau, Zhao Jinsheng, noted the uniqueness of this avalanche situation, citing the unprecedented frequency and volume of avalanches, adding that the snow clearing work is expected to continue for an extended period.
