An overview of rescue efforts after Jiuzhaigou earthquake

Medical care

A medical team arrived in the disaster-hit area on Tuesday night. Another, with nine experts, including disease prevention and psychological counseling specialists, departed on Wednesday morning, according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

Hospitals in nearby Mianyang and Chengdu cities are receiving the severely injured patients while reserving 350 beds for more. Nearly 500 medical professionals have carried out on-site rescue and epidemic prevention efforts.

Communication

By Wednesday morning, the quake had knocked out 234 telecommunication base stations — about 43 percent of all base stations in Jiuzhaigou — mostly for lack of power. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has instructed telecom professionals to use all means including wired, wireless and internet services to support local communication, ensure electricity to support base stations, repair damaged cables and keep satellite telephones working to ensure dispatch and command services for the rescue effort.

Civil affairs

A total of 100 million yuan ($15 million) was allocated to Sichuan to support residents’ lives, including helping with relocation, supporting victims in transition and providing compensation to the families of those who died, Aviation

Airports near the quake zone, including Jiuzhai, Chengdu, Hongyuan and Mianyang, were operating well, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said. The administration held an emergency conference on Tuesday night to organize rescue efforts. Airlines are ready to fly to the area to help. Air China will allow passengers to change or cancel flights to Jiuzhaigou free, the company said. The airline will also increase flights to evacuate people from the quake zone.

Electricity

The quake caused outages on 29 electrical lines in the area. The State Grid has sent nearly 200 professionals and 50 vehicles to repair facilities and support rescue efforts, while also mobilizing staff from Chengdu, Mianyang and Guangyuan to help. Power had resumed in 27 of the lines by Wednesday afternoon, including urban Jiuzhaigou and the scenic area.

Fuel

All PetroChina and Sinopec gas stations on the road leading to Jiuzhaigou have opened green channels to fuel rescue vehicles. PetroChina’s gas fields in Guangyuan and Mianyang felt the earthquake, but there were no casualties or damage, and production is safe, the company said.

according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.