Rainstorms have been sweeping through many parts of quake-ravaged areas in Sichuan Province. In some residential areas, rain has adversely affected tents, and the troops there are doing their best to ease the situation.
Fortunately, the tents have been holding up in the rain. After finishing breakfast in the tents, the residents begin preparations for cooking lunch.
This is a tent community in Anxian county. It's been raining here since early morning.
About 1,400 people live in these tents. Fortunately, the tents have been holding up in the rain. After finishing breakfast in the tents, the residents begin preparations for cooking lunch. Pork and fresh vegetables are on the menu, and everyone is thankful for their food.
But residents in this tent community in Qingchuan are beleaguered by the rain.
Troops are digging drainage ditches along the tents. They have been working all morning. The ditches help, but later -- the rain becomes too heavy. And due to aftershocks, some tents are leaning a bit and people have to cover them with water-proof material to prevent rain from leaking inside.
The area is still short of tents, but the situation is expected to improve soon. Survivors can move to a nearby tent school, since the summer holiday is coming soon.
Apart from the rain, aftershocks are another serious threat. The strong aftershocks and the heavy rain have caused mudslides around the area. Six main roads linking the area to other places have been cut off, and 14 power lines were down. Even though most of them have been repaired, there's still concern that more prevention measures are needed.
Local officials say they are planning to build makeshifts houses as soon as possible after the rain stops, to help improve living conditions.
(CCTV May 29, 2008)