Tangjiashan Lake poses one of the biggest threats to the lives of people living downstream. Around 158,000 people will have to move from their homes if the lake bursts its banks. Several districts in the city of Mianyang staged an evacuation rehearsal on Tuesday to move the most people in the shortest time possible.

So far, more than 100,000 people in Mianyang have been relocated.

So far, more than 100,000 people in Mianyang have been relocated.

On hearing some whistles, over 200 villagers from Fuling district sprung into action. They headed toward a safer place one and a half kilometers away. This man said that all four of his family members took part in the evacuation rehearsal.

It took these residents half the expected time to reach a vacant factory site. Their destination is set 50 meters above the level of the Fujiang River. Tents are being erected there with adequate supplies of drinking water and food.

Local officials said that the rehearsal tests the coordination of transportation, medical care, security and nine other systems in the region. And so far, so good.

Xi Shihong, secretary of CPC Fuling District Committee, Mianyang City, said, "There are only 32,000 people that need to be relocated so far. We're more focused on the second plan which requires the relocation of 480,000 people if half of the lake's volume is released."

Fuling boasts the largest number of residents among the four places currently facing threats from Tangjiashan Lake. There are forty routes and relocation points for residents in Beichuan county, and Youxian and Fuling districts of Mianyang city. Around 150,000 people will have to move from their homes if a third of the lake's water is released, but that will rise to 1.3 million people if the barrier of the quake lake fully bursts.

Guo Yongxiang, vice chairman of Sichuan Provincial People's Congress, said, "Our plan is to ensure the safety of every county, every village and every household. The rehearsal is to make sure the actual operation goes efficiently. There's no need to panic."

People from 169 communities in 33 townships of Mianyang are threatened by the quake lake. The evacuation is necessary because the water level in the lake has continued to rise and the diversion channel won't be in place until June 5th.

(CCTV May 28, 2008)