China's top coal-producing provinces of Shanxi and Shaanxi both issued notices on October 9 asking more efforts to be made to prevent flood risks that grow higher alongside the unusually heavy rains, posing threat to both homes and coal supply especially under current fuel shortage.
The move came as recent torrential rains that almost persisted for a week caused severe flood and landslide in Shanxi, destroying many houses and paralyzing railway and road coal transport. It broadly impacted 76 counties in 11 cities of Shanxi and caused several casualties in Shaanxi.
The rare-seen rains in North China led to suspension of 60 coal mines in Shanxi and destroy of railways and roads, which raised concerns over Shanxi's promised 55 million tonnes of term contracts coal supply for the winter heating season. But some industry insiders reckoned coal delivery would be the hardest hit rather than production.
Two provinces both stressed higher awareness of spotting and addressing safety hazards and more efforts to prevent disasters incurred by heavy rains, including regular checks, 24-hour rotation and emergency plan for evacuation.
Shaanxi has seen 52 people died in six coal mine accidents in the fourth quarter of the past five years, according to local authority.
Shanxi and Shaanxi produced 100.85 million and 58.84 million tonnes of raw coal in August, respectively, accounting for 30.1% and 17.6% of China's total coal output, showed data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
(Writing by Lilya Li Editing by Harry Huo)
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