Predicted rain could hamper rescuers and trigger disasters in China

BEIJING (CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Heavy rain forecast for a mountainous earthquake-hit area in south-west China could trigger other disasters and hamper rescue efforts, an expert warned.

"The rain may cause landslides and mudslides in an area already made vulnerable by two earthquakes and continual aftershocks," said Mr Zhang Jianguo, director of Yunnan Earthquake Administration's Institute for Disaster Prevention.

"This could pose a danger to the survivors and add obstacles to rescuers."

According to Yunnan's Meteorological Bureau, heavy rain will hit Yiliang county, the area hit hardest by Friday's earthquakes, on Tuesday and Wednesday, with temperatures dropping by more than 10 deg C.