Further analysis of the Yunnan Province earthquake
At 19.14 hours on 3 February 1996 an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale struck
north-western Yunnan Province in China.
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Four prefectures and 9 counties were affected including Dali, Diqing, Lijiang, and Nujiang -- the most seriously affected being Lijiang. 309 people werekilled, 3925 were seriously injured, and 12,985 suffered less serious injuries.
Due to the time of year and altitude (2400 metres), the cold added to the health concerns of the approximately 1million people affected. At least 350,000 rooms were destroyed while another 670,000 rooms sustained damage, leaving 200,000 people homeless. More than 100,000 farm animals died.
Infrastructure sustained heavy damage. Several hospitals were severely damaged and medical equipment ruined. Several dozen Red Cross First Aid Stations were destroyed or significantlydamaged. More than 30,000 tonnes of grain were lost. The economic losses exceeded 4 billion Chinese Yuan (CHF 121 million).
Then, on 25 May, a severe storm brought additional damage as hail the size of ping pong balls piled up 30 - 60 cm deep, crushing over 9,000 hectares of crops, and caused a major setback in the rebuilding process.