Download The death toll in Baoxing - the only isolated county after Saturday's earthquake due to telecommunication failures, power shortages and damaged roads - had reached 26 by 10 pm on Monday, with 18 still missing, 2,500 wounded, 86 of which in severe condition, and 58,000 other people affected, according to figures released by the local government. Power has been restored in about 50 percent of the county, and was fully restored in Baoxing town and Lingguan town. "The rescue force is enough in Baoxing," said Han Bing, Party chief of the county. "The weather report says there will be more rainfall in the coming days. So we will pay more attention to prevent geological disasters." All the buildings were damaged at different levels in the nine towns administered by Baoxing county, which is 40 kilometers from the quake's epicenter in Lushan county, with 100 percent damage in Baoxing town, Lingguan town and Daxi town. More than 46,000 houses were completely destroyed, and several mountains surrounding the county have collapsed. By Tuesday morning, the precious first 72 hours when rescue efforts are most effective had passed. But several towns in Baoxing were still hit by power and water shortages. By noon on Monday, all the roads leading to the nine towns from Baoxing town had been cleared for traffic, but landslides were still happening often. In some areas, people who wanted to use the roads had to follow instructions from the soldiers posted there, so that they could get the perfect moment to pass with the least probability of getting hit by a falling rock. |