October 14, 2008

China rail traffic returning to normal after earthquake

Xinhua news agency reported that China has resumed rail traffic between quake hit Sichuan and other provinces, except on one major line where a tunnel collapsed.

It may be recalled that the State Administration of Work Safety called for coal mines, oilfields and chemical plants in quake affected areas to halt operations as they checked for damage, although officials at major coal exporters said there was little impact on mining or logistics.

Rail services out of the provincial capital Chengdu to Baoji were suspended when a tunnel collapsed, setting fire to a freight train carrying gasoline. The quake also damaged bridges on the Baoji Chengdu line and cut power to 13 stations.

Xinhua said that 187 trains carrying relief materials, including 50,000 tents and one fuel train, would head to affected areas. The ministry will also deploy an additional 1,400 trains for disaster relief. Roads into the worst affected regions north of Chengdu are cut off by numerous landslides, while heavy rain is also impeding the arrival of outside rescuers and supplies.

In Datong, the coal heartland of Shanxi Province, underground work was stopped temporarily but has since resumed with no disruption to rail transport. Sichuan itself produces about 3% of China's coal, but almost all of that is consumed within the province.