Xi said natural disasters, as well as traffic accidents and work safety incidents, are prone to occur with the Spring Festival approaching and due to the recent cold waves.

He asked authorities across the country to fulfill their responsibilities to prevent and curb the occurrence of major accidents with casualties.

They should take comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of people's lives and property, he emphasized.

Premier Li Qiang asked the local government to evacuate residents who are under potential threat as soon as possible, and to make appropriate arrangements for them, considering that the area where the disaster occurred is in a cold alpine region.

Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing has led a work group to Yunnan to guide the rescue operation.

A woman who lives not far from the landslide site said she felt as if an earthquake was happening when the disaster happened.