Rescue continues in Guangdong; 5 airlifted to hospital

Five people who were injured and stranded by landslides over the weekend in Jiangwan township in Shaoguan, Guangdong province, were sent by helicopter to a hospital for treatment early on Monday, the local government said in a statement.

Rescue workers continue to race against time, it said.

The first batch of emergency repair vehicles reached the streets of the town, and telecommunication was restored on Monday morning.

Dozens of units of heavy equipment were at work on Sunday to help clear debris. Multiple houses were buried by landslides and highways were blocked.

Rescuers, including armed police and firefighters, had been sent to the town on foot as of midday Sunday to carry out rescue operations.

Residents living in low-lying areas near mountains and rivers have been evacuated to safe areas, such as the town's vegetable market and middle school.

Meanwhile, government departments have distributed and replenished multiple batches of needed goods via helicopter to affected residents.The rescue command center has also coordinated the allocation of drinking water and cotton quilts.

Areas affected by disaster were ordered to introduce effective measures to prevent further flooding, mountain torrents, mudrock flows, landslides and related geologic hazards in the coming days.

Meteorologists warned that torrential rains would continue to hit the southern province later this week.