New Life Emerges in Rebuilt Mustod Village After Xizang Earthquake

Dragon Media News Desk

Post-earthquake reconstruction has transformed daily life in Mustod Village, located in Chulho Township of Dingri County in China’s Xizang Autonomous Region. The village, approximately an hour’s drive east of Dingri County town, suffered extensive damage in the devastating earthquake of January 7, 2025. Its residents have since moved into newly constructed homes.

Mustod, situated near the Bumchu River, had 76 households before the earthquake. According to Phurbu, the village’s deputy director, every household sustained damage that left its home uninhabitable. He said that after the first tremor was felt at around 8 a.m., a warning was circulated through the village’s social media group, urging residents to remain alert. No casualties were reported in the village, he added.

Following the disaster, local authorities prioritized the restoration of housing. Officials said reconstruction proceeded in accordance with President Xi Jinping’s instructions on post-disaster recovery and the work plans of the Xizang Autonomous Region. Affected families in Mustod were able to move into new homes before the end of 2025.

Dechen, a village resident, was among those who lost their homes in the earthquake. Her family initially lived in temporary prefabricated accommodation. She said they received a new house measuring approximately 110 square meters toward the end of 2025. The bright, sunlit home has made everyday life more comfortable for her family.

Reconstruction also created temporary employment opportunities for local residents. Many villagers worked on building projects, earning income while their community was being restored. With the reconstruction work now completed, however, many young residents have again left the village to seek employment elsewhere.

Another resident, Chamcho, said her husband had gone away for work because employment opportunities remained limited in the village. She looks after their two children while continuing to farm. According to Chamcho, receiving a new home has eased the family’s housing concerns, allowing them to concentrate on maintaining their livelihood through their own efforts.

Before the earthquake, Mustod stood on a narrow stretch of land beside the Bumchu River. During reconstruction, the settlement was relocated to the foot of a nearby mountain in response to residents’ wishes and concerns about its proximity to the river and limited space. The orderly arrangement of newly built houses has changed the village’s appearance.

The recovery of Mustod illustrates the transition from emergency relief to longer-term reconstruction in Dingri’s earthquake-affected communities. While the new housing has restored a sense of security for residents, the village’s experience also highlights the importance of sustaining local employment and livelihood opportunities after reconstruction is complete.