Xiong Qu

Strong quake jolts SW China Landslides triggered by rain in the earthquake zone have blocked roads and increased the danger at barrier lakes. "It's dangerous. Run, run..." This landslide happened as rescue workers were repairing a blocked roads. Continuous heavy rains have triggered landslides and cut off the relief material supply line to quake-hit Aba County. Wang Rongmu, official of Aba County said "The landslides often blocks two sections of road. One of the blocks is near the power station. It's dangerous for us, because the rocks fall more than 50 meters." Cars are trapped along the muddy road, and close by digging machines are busy making repairs. Luo Xiaoping, rescue worker said "Every day, we work over 12 hours to repair the road. The biggest difficulty is the continuous landslides which prevent the progress and often make our work in vain." The roads are expected to reopen in three to five days. But the biggest concern comes from a nearby barrier lake. The armed police had removed the flooding risk at the lake by blowing up debris and building a drainage sluice. But recent landslides blocked the river again, and threat of flooding has returned. Wang Rongmu said "The soldiers have to come again. They are going to use explosives to dredge the river." Water experts have already reached the lake, and rescue efforts are being intensified. // var para_count=1 //   Editor:Xiong Qu