China's Ministry of Water Resources said drinking water supply had been guaranteed for 4.99 million people in the quake-ravaged areas by Monday on emergency purpuse.

The population was 170,000 more than the Sunday figure, the ministry added.

By this coming Saturday, drinking water supply will be ensured for the remaining 760,000 people in rural areas, who affected by the major earthquake, according to the ministry.

A 8.0-magnitude earthquake jolted southwestern province of Sichuan on May 12, which had left 65,080 people dead as of Monday noon.

(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2008)