Statistics released by the Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR) on Thursday said that at least 4,200 people have been saved from physical injury and financial loss by these timely forecasts.

According to the 2001 Communique for China's Land and Resources, the MLR has completed geological surveys in 266 counties and cities which are vulnerable to hazards.

So far, over 40,000 hidden dangers across a land area of 490, 000 square kilometers have been detected and more than 25,700 hectares vulnerable to mud-rock flow and landslides are undergoing works.

In order to estimate the country's vulnerability to geological disasters, the MLR has planned to investigate a total of 700 counties and cities between 1999 and 2005.

(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2002)