The 7.8-magnitude earthquake has damaged infrastructure and disrupted telecommunications and transport. But the Construction Committee in charge of the massive south-to-north water diversion project, says the disaster hasn't impacted the Three Gorges Dam Project.

Rescuers search at a damaged primary school in the earthquake-affected Liangping County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, on May 12, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

The Three Gorges Dam, China's landmark water conservancy project on the Yangtze River, was operating normally despite Monday's strong quake felt in many parts of the country.

The Construction Committee issued an urgent circular to make a thorough check on the multi-billion-dollar project right after the quake. Based on incoming reports by midday Tuesday, the Committee said the earthquake had not adversely affected either finished projects or those under construction.

But it's a different story in many counties in Sichuan.

In Beichuan County, which neighbors the epicenter, about 80 percent of the buildings collapsed in the old town area and nearly 60 percent were flattened in the new town. Reports from Yingxiu in Wenchuan County, the epicenter, say the situation is worse than expected. Local government officials who trekked into the area said most of the houses there were destroyed, leaving thousands without shelter.

Telecommunications service in Wenchuan has not resumed yet, though service in most other parts of Sichuan has been restored. Monday's quake hit infrastructure badly, affecting phone networks, internet connection and telecommunications service.

Meanwhile, electricity in Sichuan has been gradually restored, which will go a long way to helping disaster relief.

(CCTV May 15, 2008)