Telecom Crews Work to Restore Connectivity After Deadly Mudslide at Gyirong Port
After a glacier-triggered mudslide at Gyirong Port, telecom teams set up base stations and drones to restore communications for rescue efforts.
Emergency telecom teams are working around the clock to restore communication links at Gyirong Port in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, following a devastating mudslide that knocked out local utilities. The disaster, caused by the collapse of a high-altitude glacier on the Nepalese side of the border, has left at least 16 people dead and 546 others missing, according to the regional government.
To support rescue operations, telecom operators have laid optical cables and deployed two temporary base stations, extending coverage into the port's core area. The local communications administration has also activated 5G cross-network roaming, allowing rescue personnel to switch to other operators' networks when their own signal is unavailable. This helps eliminate dead zones and ensures stable communication for command and data transmission.
In addition, relay drones have been deployed to fill coverage gaps. These drones have flown 21 sorties totaling 148 hours, supporting over 26,000 user connections and more than 3,100 calls. The aerial system supplements ground networks, keeping rescue teams connected for disaster assessment, search and rescue, and on-site emergency response.