Authorities work to repair water, power supplies in Yushu
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Hundreds of technicians are repairing damaged power and water supply lines in quake-hit Yushu in northwest China's Qinghai Province, local officials said Sunday.
The provincial government said it has allocated 30 million yuan (4.40 million U.S. dollars) to repair power and water supply lines and transportation and telecommunication facilities in the quake zone.
A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu in remote Qinghai Province early Wednesday, killing 1,706 people and cutting off water and electricity supplies to this barren, remote region.
The quake zone, home to 100,000 people, sits 4,000 meters above sea level.
Food is in short supply and temperatures often dip to freezing at night. A stable supply of power will give the injured and the homeless a better chance of survival.
Four days after the quake, street lights in Gyegu turned on Saturday night, and officials said 80 percent of temporary shelters now have access to power.
But the electricity is being generated by a small emergency power station.
More than 100 technicians are working at Changu hydropower station, the Gyegu Township's major power generating facility, which is located some 15 kilometers to northeast of Gyegu Town.
"Three power generators were damaged. There were more cracks than expected," said Liu Wenyuan, a senior supervisor of the team repairing the Changu power station.
Liu said it would take at least one week to repair and bring the quake damaged hydropower station back into operation. "Once this power station functions, Gyegu Town could have a stable electricity supply," said Liu.
Local officials said while drinking water is being transported into the quake zone, specialists are repairing water pipelines in eight hard-hit counties and hope to restore water supplies by April 20.
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