An earthquake that struck northwest China this week, claiming at least 148 lives, is leaving a profound economic impact, particularly in the agricultural and fisheries sectors. Preliminary assessments conducted by officials in Gansu province, where the earthquake struck, reveal staggering losses amounting to 532 million yuan (about $74.6 million). The repercussions extend beyond the loss of human lives, with significant damage to infrastructure and livelihoods.
Authorities are grappling with the challenge of addressing the economic fallout, and discussions are underway regarding the optimal utilization of a relief fund, established just days before the earthquake, to expedite the recovery of the agricultural sector. The goal is to enable affected communities to resume production as swiftly as possible.
The magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck a mountainous region between Gansu and Qinghai provinces, approximately 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) southwest of Beijing, on Monday night. Gansu bore the brunt of the disaster, with 117 reported deaths, while neighboring Qinghai reported 31 fatalities. Tragically, three individuals remain missing, and nearly 1,000 people sustained injuries. The destruction was widespread, with over 14,000 homes reduced to rubble.
As relief efforts intensify, the Chinese state broadcaster’s international arm, CGTN, reported that the first batch of 500 temporary housing units had been constructed for residents in Meipo, a village in Gansu. This initiative aims to provide immediate shelter for those who spent the night in makeshift accommodations as temperatures plummeted well below freezing.
Funerals have been held in the affected areas, with some following the Muslim traditions observed by much of the local population. The impact of the earthquake is felt deeply, not only in the loss of lives but also in the disruption of communities and economic activities.
China is no stranger to seismic activity, with earthquakes primarily striking in the western part of the country, encompassing provinces such as Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, and Yunnan, as well as the Xinjiang region and Tibet. This recent earthquake stands out as the deadliest in China in the past nine years, underscoring the urgency of relief efforts and the challenges faced in rebuilding affected communities.