Severe weather delays rescue for 700 trapped by floods
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Severe weather condition has delayed helicopter rescue operation for more than 700 people trapped by floods in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, local authorities said Saturday.
A helicopter from the Xinjiang Military Command reached the Kuqa Airport on Friday, but as of 10 a.m. Saturday, the helicopter had been unable to fly to the flood-hit area in Kuqa County of Aksu Prefecture, said a spokesman with the prefecture's government.
Preparations for the rescue work had been continuing over the night, said the spokesman.
Rain-triggered mountain torrents stranded more than 1,000 residents, construction workers and tourists in a mountainous area of Kuqa on Thursday.
Rescuers managed to reach the site on Friday, and more than 170 trapped people had been taken to safe places. No casualties had been reported,
Floods have inundated many roads, as well as damaged three bridges and 12 buildings in the county. More than 13,000 youths from the county were ready to strengthen the dikes to combat flood waters.
