Guizhou issues interim measures for natural disaster investigation and assessment

The Guizhou Provincial People's Government has issued interim measures to standardize natural disaster investigations and assessments, strengthen disaster prevention, mitigation, and relief, and safeguard people's lives, property, and social stability.

The measures apply to natural disasters including floods, droughts, earthquakes, and forest fires. Investigations will be organized at the provincial, municipal, and county levels based on disaster severity. The provincial government will oversee assessments of major disasters, municipal governments will handle relatively serious disasters, and county governments may organize assessments of less severe incidents as appropriate.

Under the measures, investigations will examine disaster processes, causes, impacts, losses, and responsibilities. Assessment teams may include relevant government departments, emergency response agencies, local authorities, experts, and technical service providers. Their work will cover disaster prevention, emergency preparedness, response operations, casualty and damage assessments, and accountability.

Relatively serious or less severe disasters may be subject to higher-level investigations if they cause significant public concern, involve suspected delayed or concealed reporting, raise questions about casualties or disaster causes, or reveal potential major safety issues or dereliction of duty.

Assessment teams must generally complete their reports within 60 days of establishment. An extension of up to 60 additional days may be approved under special circumstances.