William's Walk

Fighting Quake Lakes

williamwong — Sun, 25 May 2008 23:55:00 GMT

As the quake has shaked the big stones off from the mountains, the stones jam the drainage of rain water between the mountains; such accumulation of water becomes lakes threatening the low places where the refugee settles now.

The government is taking all measures to discharge the water to reservoirs or low safe places to ease the flood threat.

The barrier lakes are under control according to the local news, however the situation is still grim.

UN Conciliation - Ban Kimoon

williamwong — Sat, 24 May 2008 23:54:00 GMT

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday extended gratitude to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the United Nations' support and help for China's quake relief.

Wen briefed Ban on China's quake relief efforts, saying China will carry out reconstruction as soon as possible.

Ban Ki-moon arrived in Chengdu, capital city of quake-stricken Sichuan Province, Saturday morning and then rushed to visit Yingxiu town in Wenchuan County, epicenter of the 8.0-magnitude earthquake on May 12, to express his sympathy for those who suffered from the devastating quake.

Wen pledged that China will try hard to restore order in quake-affected areas in three months and help people there to resume normal life

Facts and Figures Report - Death Toll 60,560

williamwong — Sat, 24 May 2008 05:41:00 GMT

Following are the latest facts and figures about the massive 8.0-magnitude earthquake that rocked southwest China's Sichuan Province on May 12:

The death toll from the quake rose to 60,560 nationwide as of Saturday noon, while 352,290 people were injured and 26,221 people were missing. 75,086 quake-injured people were medicated, 40,644 people left hospital already, while there were 3,484 people died in hospital. The total saved or medicated people numbers 289,457.

Domestic and foreign donations had reached 26.1 billion yuan(3.7 billion U.S. dollars), up 1.5 billion yuan overnight. And 3.68 billion yuan had been forwarded to the earthquake-affected areas.

A total of 448,140 tents, one of the most urgently needed relief supplies, had been delivered to quake regions.

A total of 35,458 makeshift houses, 2,419,347 quilts and 3,304,526 garments had been sent to these regions.

The government disaster relief fund reached 15.1 billion yuan (2.2 billion U.S. dollars) as of 2 p.m. Saturday. The fund included 11.1 billion yuan from the central budget and 4 billion yuan from local budgets.

As of Saturday noon, 178 aftershocks measuring above 4 on the Richter scale had been monitored in Sichuan and among them, 27aftershocks measured above magnitude 5, and four above magnitude 6.

55,740 Heartbreaking Number

williamwong — Fri, 23 May 2008 10:49:00 GMT

China has officially reported the death of the quake 55,740 today. What a heartbreaking number!

55,740 people, if they form a town, it will be a thriving town; if they lie on the road, it can be 10km long; they are from at least 20,000 families; their average age will not exceed 40...

Just swiped tears off my cheek from the mourning for the past 3 days, on hearing this number I can't stop my tears from dropping down to my keyboard. It's a pity for me not able to get the chance to go there for rescue because of the government control procedures. What if I was there to save at least one or two?

Mourning for the victims & Encouraging the survivors

williamwong — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:31:00 GMT

For the first time in Chinese history, the government has announced 3 days mourning to the victims of such natural disaster. From the Chinese President to the ordinary people, from north to south, from China to Chinese overseas bureaus, from all concerned people around the world, all were mourning for the lost ones during the earthquake in China.

China has received condolences from all countries and regions of the world. Thanks to you all, your lovely hearts from the global village!

Beside the mourning, more and more Chinese started to support the re-conciliation & and the re-construction process after the quake. Everywhere of China can see people talking face to face, via phone conversation, by SMS, by online blogs and whatever means can be adopted to encourage the people to rebuild their homes and moving forward.

It reflected kind of the solidarity in Mao's period. People are more unified before the challenge.

We've lost the lives of the disastrous region as well as houses and homes; however, we have got once again the unprecedented unification of the people. We will make it better than what we've lost...

China - Announced 3 Days Mourning For The Victims

williamwong — Sun, 18 May 2008 12:29:00 GMT

China government has officially announce 3-day mourning from May 19 to May 21 for the earthquake victims.

The national flag will be keep half-mast during this period. All public amusements are to be suspended for mourning during these 3 days. All Chinese overseas bureaus are to do the same mourning to the death. While the relay of the Olimpic Torch is also to be suspended for 3 days.

The public are asked to stand in silence for three minutes from 2:28 p.m. on Monday, while automobiles, trains, and ships would sound their air sirens.

The best love to the dead... The best wishes to the survived...

Mourning...

Magnitude Rectified To 8.0 Richter Scale

williamwong — Sun, 18 May 2008 10:22:00 GMT

The China Seismological Bureau (CSB) on Sunday revised the magnitude of southwest China earthquake from 7.8 to 8.0 on the Richter scale.

The magnitude was revised upwards after specialists carried out"real-time and detailed measurements of the quake according to international practices," the bureau said.

Chinese earthquake experts have also referenced quake data provided by other seismological observatories around the globe, it said.

The US Geological Survey and Japan Meteorological Agency has put the magnitude of the tremor at 7.9.

The first report of by CSB set the magnitude at 7.6 which was shortly upgraded to 7.8 after the quake hit Sichuan Province on May 12.

Death Toll 32,476; Injury 220,109

williamwong — Sun, 18 May 2008 06:53:00 GMT

Today is the 7th day after the earthquake. The death toll today has reached 32,476, and the injury number is 220,109. However, even though technically the possibility of liveness of the buried is very small, the rescuers continue searching for the survivors. They won't give up until the last one is found, as said.

It is a miracle of life that Mr. Jiang is saved after being buried for 125 hours deep in the ruins.

There is more and more people rescued by the continuous endeavors of the rescuers. The soliders forget to have their foods busying with the searching; the evacuated people come back to help; we also see international people from Chendu city as well as the world working together with the rescuers and the medical teams.

We get to rescue more lives, as we're unified!

Chinese President Hu Jintao Urge Continued Effort

williamwong — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:46:00 GMT

Chinese President Hu Jintao has arrived Mianyang City of the disastrous area. He visited the injury camps and the medication stations; he said though the best time of rescue was running out, the government would never give up rescue actions. More arrangement in terms of rescue and medication supporting has been instructed.

Hu Jintao has met with Premier Wen Jiabao for a brief meeting. Both agreed "to put the top priority to saving people's lives".

The casualty number has rised to 22,069 according to the official figure. Fortunately, today all the major roads are repaired for transportation and electricity is back to service after several days of urgent restorement.

Now, rescue teams have arrived at every villiage. The rescue is faster than ever. However, the following days are going to have rain again, which may slow down the rescue process.

Let's pray for a good weather and faster rescue!

Survivor - Buried 100 Hours

williamwong — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:41:00 GMT

Mr. Liu, a survior rescued after buried in the ruins for 100 hours, is found by the life detector.

Military troops and professional rescue teams are equiped with this powerful electronic tool to keep on searching the survivors. The device is able to find the life 10 meters deep into the ground.

Mr. Liu was missing on his way delivering cargo to the epicenter client on May 12. Unfortunately, he was then buried deep inside the collapsed building. When the detector received life signal from the ruins of his place on May 14, the fireman called his wife and daughter according to their registration. Then his family came to stay outside of the collapsed building keep on talking with him to keep him awake; while the rescue is progressing, getting his legs out of the heavy cement frames stuck.

Late this afternoon, he was successfully saved. He said with his weak voice "I know I can eventually be saved. I know the rescue action is progressing above my bury."