By Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Dec 30: The recent devastating magnitude 6.2 that struck the so called Gansu and Tsongon (Ch. Qinghai) provinces of Tibet has left a trail of destruction, claiming at least 149 lives and causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. While efforts have been initiated to aid the affected regions by the Chinese government, a report by Radio Free Asia (RFA) on Thursday suggests a glaring lack of substantial support, leaving many inhabitants without essential assistance, aside from a few tents.
In the aftermath of the seismic disaster, various local communities, grassroots organisations, and religious institutions, notably monasteries in Tibet, have been instrumental in providing essential resources and aid to the affected population. Amidst these local initiatives, reports indicate that the authorities have seemingly allowed these relief efforts without any obstruction from the government officials.
Reports have also surfaced detailing the commendable efforts of prominent Tibetan aristocrats and influential business figures among the Tibetan community, residing in the quake-affected Dobi region for using social media platforms to provide essential resources such as food clothing, and other forms of support to those affected by the seismic disaster.
According to the report, Chinese authorities in Gansu and Tsongon (Ch. Qinghai) have detained 12 Tibetans for allegedly sharing information about the earthquake’s situation with individuals outside the region. Additionally, officials in Tsongon have cautioned Tibetans against disseminating news, images, or photographs related to the earthquake’s destruction, specifically emphasising refraining from sharing pictures of severely affected areas or regions on social media platforms.
The earthquake that hit the epicenter in Dobi, encompassing four townships, has caused significant destruction to numerous houses and monasteries. However, Chinese media coverage seems to be lacking in depicting the actual extent of the earthquake’s impact on the affected areas. Instead, reports suggest that Chinese media are portraying a narrative focused on the government’s efforts in providing aid to the victims of the earthquake while downplaying or inadequately showcasing the scale of destruction caused by the seismic event in these areas.
On December 18, a magnitude-6.2 earthquake struck Gansu and Tsongon (Ch. Qinghai) provinces located in Tibet, resulting in devastating consequences. Official statistics released by the Chinese government on Dec. 28 indicate that the earthquake claimed the lives of 117 individuals and left 781 injured in Gansu, while in Tsongon, the toll stood at 32 fatalities with 198 individuals injured. Both Gansu and Qinghai provinces, geographical designates by the Chinese government following the occupation of Tibet, cover significant portions of the Amdo province of Tibet.
