The Hindu : Front Page : Quake toll rises

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Friday, May 16, 2008
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Quake toll rises

Pallavi Aiyar

BEIJING: The death toll from Monday’s 7.9-magnitude earthquake continued to rise on Thursday, with 19,500 confirmed deaths. But with thousands still missing or buried under rubble, Chinese state media said the final tally of casualties could be as high as 50,000.

In the meantime, rescue operations continued at a heightened pace, with dozens of helicopters airdropping relief supplies to affected areas. Key roads leading to the quake’s epicentre in Sichuan Province’s Wenchuan County were also unblocked.

However, a new threat emerged with reports of extensive damage to hundreds of dams and reservoirs in the affected area. The People’s Daily said 51 reservoirs were “in danger” around Chongqing Municipality. The National Development and Reform Commission had also released a report on Wednesday revealing damage to 391 reservoirs in five provinces. A single burst dam could unleash major floods.

Two thousand troops were sent to Zipingpu Dam, near Dujiangyan, after the media reported that it had “severe cracks.” The dam was, however, later declared as stable according to Xinhua news agency.

While the rescue of survivors remained top priority, the government’s efforts aimed at providing relief to the millions who have been affected by the quake were also intensifying.

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