Bad weather and heavy rain impacts thousands of people in China's Yunnan
KUNMING, China (Bernama-Xinhua): Rain-triggered floods and geological disasters have struck Gongshan County in southwest China's Yunnan Province, affecting 4,857 people as of 9 pm Saturday, local authorities have said.
According to the county flood control and drought relief headquarters, 1,342 people have been evacuated and no casualties have been reported so far.
At least 27 houses have been damaged, and 16 bridges have been impacted or brought down. Road disruptions have been reported at 97 locations, 54 of which have already been resolved.
Preliminary estimates put economic losses at approximately 87.54 million yuan (about US$12.18 million).
Two tourist destinations in the county have been closed temporarily, stranding 638 tourists. More than 500 of those tourists were located in Bingzhongluo Township and have already begun returning home.
Damage assessments and follow-up relief efforts are still underway. - Bernama-Xinhua
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
18 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Operational readiness as millions arrive for Hajj
Published on: Tuesday, June 03, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 03, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: An official spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services - Hajj Season, Saleh Ibrahim Al-Zuwaid, said over 45,000 personnel have been deployed within the transport and logistics network to ensure smooth operations during the pilgrimage. - Bernama pic MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia has signalled its operational readiness for the Hajj pilgrimage season. The kingdom has rolled out an integrated set of logistical, technological, and digital initiatives aimed at improving safety, comfort, and efficiency for pilgrims arriving from around the world. An official spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services - Hajj Season, Saleh Ibrahim Al-Zuwaid, said over 45,000 personnel have been deployed within the transport and logistics network to ensure smooth operations during the pilgrimage. 'Our teams continue to work round-the-clock to ensure pilgrims receive the highest quality of service,' said Al-Zuwaid at a press briefing Monday. 'We urge all pilgrims to comply with official guidelines and instructions issued by the authorities to ensure everyone's safety and wellbeing throughout the Hajj journey.' As part of efforts to ease congestion and streamline pilgrim movement, the Haramain High-Speed Railway has scheduled 4,700 trips throughout the Hajj season. The network is expected to accommodate up to two million passengers, an increase of 400,000 seats compared to the previous year. Additionally, the 'No-Baggage Hajj' initiative is now in place for pilgrims arriving via King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Under this programme, pilgrims travel directly to Makkah by train while their luggage is transported separately to their accommodation via a coordinated logistics system. 'The separation of passenger and baggage movement allows for faster processing at arrival points and ensures that pilgrims can focus on their rituals with minimal disruption,' said the official. Saudi authorities have also confirmed the full implementation of the second phase of operational plans supported by specialised technical teams. These efforts are being intensified during the Eid al-Adha holiday, traditionally one of the busiest periods of the Hajj season. 'Our operational strategy has accompanied the arrival of pilgrims through multiple entry points and helped facilitate a seamless experience,' he said. Meanwhile, an official spokesperson for the Communications and Technology Ecosystem - Hajj Season, Saad Saleem Al-Shanbari, reported major improvements in digital infrastructure across the holy sites, with 4G and 5G coverage in Makkah, Madinah, and surrounding areas surpassing expectations. Internet speeds have reached 264 Mbps in Makkah and 336 Mbps in Madinah, allowing pilgrims to stay connected with ease. 'Digital infrastructure plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall experience, from navigation and communication to access to real-time information,' he said. As part of the digital push, the kingdom has trialled a range of technologies, including AI-powered crowd management systems, advanced surveillance cameras, and secure communication tools in collaboration with security agencies. The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) said out of 29 new technologies introduced this year, 13 had already proven successful in previous seasons. These include tools designed to manage health-related services and monitor pilgrim movement. Responding to the challenge of combating extreme heat, Saudi authorities have activated road-cooling technologies along pedestrian routes that reduce surface temperatures and improve walking conditions for pilgrims. Preliminary results from temperature-monitoring sensors have shown a measurable decrease in heat levels on cooled pathways,' said the spokesperson. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Traditional Vietnam tailoring village weaves cultural heritage into economic growth
Photo taken on June 2, 2025 shows Ao Dai, Vietnam's traditional long dress, in Hanoi, Vietnam. - Xinhua HANOI: As early morning sunlight spreads across the rice fields of Trach Xa village on Hanoi's outskirts, the sound of sewing machines signals not just a centuries-old tradition, but also a new path toward prosperity. In 2024, Trach Xa's Ao Dai, Vietnam's traditional long dress, tailoring craft was listed as a Vietnamese national intangible cultural heritage, marking a turning point for the thousand-year-old village. "Since the recognition, business has improved significantly," said Vu Thi Hang, a local tailor with 14 years of experience. "Our Ao Dai are now showcased at exhibitions and fairs, and more people know about Trach Xa." "Some shops send us fabric and request up to 1,000 dresses per order, often for hotel staff or flight attendants," she said, adding that her income has risen to around 20 to 30 million Vietnam Dong (about US$790 to 1,185) monthly, excluding material and labor costs. Tourism is also emerging as a driver. "We've begun receiving both domestic and international tour groups," Hang said. "The government has conducted surveys and plans to promote tourism in this area." According to local officials, currently, over 100 households in the village engage in Ao Dai production, most from home, while others have opened shops under the Trach Xa brand in nearby provinces. Le Van Duan, who began sewing in 1988, said that preserving the tradition depends on making it economically viable for the next generation. To expand beyond the village, Vietnamese artisans are also embracing e-commerce. "Some tailors now sell their Ao Dai online, combining traditional hand-stitching with digital platforms," said cultural researcher Tran Doan Lam, former director of The Gioi (World) Publishers. Lam noted that fashion programs at Vietnamese universities such as the University of Industrial Fine Arts and the University of Culture are cultivating new talent in ethnic costume design. "Culture is both a goal and a driving force for economic development and national progress," Lam said. "Ao Dai will certainly contribute to the development of the economy, culture, and the country as a whole." - Xinhua
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Airline industry scales back profit outlook
New forecast: Delta employees help sort out luggage at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline slashed its first quarter profit guidance in March amid a downward revision for the global industry. — Reuters NEW YORK: The global airline industry stands to earn a collective US$36bil this year, a downward revision from the most recent prediction issued in December amid growing trade tensions and a drop in consumer confidence, the leading aviation association says. The new forecast aligns with the US$ 36.6bil profit target issued for 2025 at the end of last year, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in a statement yesterday. The figure translates into a profit margin of 3.7% on industry revenue of about US$979bil, which was also revised from the December goal. 'The first half of 2025 has brought significant uncertainties to global markets,' IATA director general Willie Walsh said in the release. At the same time, the industry is benefitting from lower oil prices, which are in turn trimming airlines' fuel bills – the biggest single expense for carriers. Airlines, particularly in the United States, have been forced to scale back their outlooks recently after price-sensitive passengers reconsidered their travel plans and some high-profile accidents discouraged bookings. In March, Delta Air Lines Inc slashed its first quarter profit guidance and also reduced its outlook for revenue growth and operating margin. That was a sharp reversal from the start of the year, when it saw a steady demand environment. Walsh said that he remains optimistic, considering some of the events restraining growth are 'short-term in nature'. 'It won't have a long-term impact on the growth in the industry,' Walsh said. 'Demand for aviation, demand for flying, will remain strong.' Last year, the industry earned a collective US$32.4bil, on a margin of 3.4%. Walsh said profitability remains 'wafer thin', highlighting how easily airlines can see their targets dissolve because of economic headwinds and changing consumer sentiment. The North American market is expected to see the highest total profit contribution at US$12.7bil, followed by Europe. The Middle East, home to giant carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways, will account for the highest profit per passenger, IATA said, though capacity there is being limited by aircraft delivery delays. Airline executives have gathered in New Delhi this week for the IATA's annual meeting to discuss the state of the sector. India has become a key market for future growth as a rising middle class takes up flying, putting the country of over 1.4 billion people on the move. That's drawing more global airlines to the region, with Delta chief executive officer Ed Bastian calling a code-sharing agreement announced on the eve of the meeting with local discount specialist IndiGo 'the next step of our growth strategy'. Bastian said in a separate interview that he expects the latter part of the year to show improved demand after what he said was a 'choppy' start to 2025 amid trade tensions and hesitancy, especially among leisure travellers in the United States to book flights. — Bloomberg
