experienced driver predicts landslide saves people these experiences must be learned

On the evening of July 8, a landslide occurred at K2681 on National Highway 318 in Xiahe Township, Tianquan County, Sichuan (local name: Huojia Valley). Approximately 11,000 cubic meters of debris caused the highway to be blocked. Fortunately, there were no casualties.

At the time of the incident, a bus carrying 42 passengers from Chengdu to Kangding was about to pass through the area. The 59-year-old driver, Huang Guiquan, noticed falling rocks ahead and immediately braked, then quickly reversed more than 10 meters. Just as the bus stopped, the mountain collapsed, burying the spot where they had been.

According to passengers on the bus, one of them was dozing off when he was jolted awake by the sudden brake. Looking ahead, he saw rocks continuously falling from the cliff on the right. 'Quick, quick, quick! Tell the truck behind us to move!' the driver shouted, instructing someone to get off and direct the truck to reverse. After the truck moved, the bus driver also reversed more than 10 meters and then stopped.

Just one minute after the driver’s loud commands, the mountain, which had been shedding rocks, suddenly collapsed. A large section of the mountain fell, burying the spot where the bus had been. A wave of air mixed with the smell of mud rushed towards them from about 10 meters away, causing screams inside the bus. The driver opened the door, and passengers hurriedly got off and ran back.

Shortly after, traffic police arrived at the scene. The bus turned around and headed towards Tianquan County. The next day, it took the Yaxi Expressway to Shimian and then proceeded to Ganzi.

Interview with the driver: 'There was no wind, but the trees were shaking. It could be a landslide.'

In an interview after the incident, 59-year-old bus driver Huang Guiquan said he had been driving buses for 11 years, frequently traveling the Sichuan-Tibet route, and had never had an accident. 'The company's training covers how to avoid dangers, but experience is also crucial,' Huang said. His father, a road maintenance worker, had taught him about landslide-prone terrains and the signs of an impending landslide. 'This time, that knowledge came in handy.'

'National Highway 318 has mountains on one side and cliffs on the other. You have to stay highly focused and can't afford to joke around,' Huang said. When he saw rocks falling from the mountain, he immediately stopped the bus. 'I noticed the trees on the mountain were shaking, but there was no wind. That could mean the mountain itself was shaking. Based on my experience, I judged that a landslide might occur, so I quickly reversed the bus.'

The southern route of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (Chengdu to Lhasa) is a well-known classic cycling route among enthusiasts. However, landslides are frequent, making the route both dangerous and scenic. As the summer cycling season begins, which is also a period prone to heavy rains, landslides, and mudslides, cyclists on the road or planning to depart should be extremely cautious and prioritize safety.

Let's revisit some tips on preventing and avoiding landslides:

Different types of landslides exhibit various abnormal phenomena before sliding, indicating the signs of an impending slide:

1. Before a major slide, long-blocked springs may revive, or there may be sudden drying up of springs (wells) or abrupt changes in water levels in wells (boreholes).

2. Transverse and longitudinal radial cracks may appear in the middle and front parts of the landslide body, indicating that the landslide is pushing forward and encountering resistance, signaling an imminent slide.

3. Before a major slide, the muddy ground at the foot of the slope may bulge, indicating the landslide is pushing forward.

4. Before a major slide, there may be sounds of rocks cracking or being compressed, reflecting deep deformation and fracturing. Animals are very sensitive to this and may show abnormal reactions.

5. Animals may exhibit unusual fear, and trees may wither or tilt.

When a landslide occurs, if you are on the landslide body, remain calm and do not panic. Panic wastes time and can lead to wrong decisions. Quickly survey your surroundings and move to a safer area. Except for high-speed landslides, you can usually escape the danger zone if you act quickly. Run perpendicular to the direction of the falling rocks; running uphill or downhill is dangerous.

If you cannot escape, take cover under sturdy obstacles or hold onto large trees, focusing on protecting your head. Do not rush into nearby buildings until the danger has passed.

(Article excerpted from Meiqi.com)