As a cold front approaches, the authorities in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region are speeding up the construction of prefabricated houses for displaced residents in earthquake-hit areas to ensure their safety and warmth.
On Sunday, the sixth day after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Dingri County in Xizang and claimed 126 lives and left 188 others injured, five resettlement sites made of cotton tents were erected in Jiding Village, one of the worst-hit villages in Tsogo Township, the earthquake epicenter. The village, at an altitude of 4,200 meters, has a population of 888 residents of 200-plus households.
The No. 1 resettlement site, serving as the materials transfer center for the village, is currently housing around 100 displaced people.
While displaced residents are staying in cotton tents for the time being, life is becoming increasingly organized.
According to the villagers, stoves were provided the day after the deadly disaster, allowing households to cook traditional Tibetan barley flour food.
Each morning, the village prepares porridge for them and ensures hot water supply.
In addition to basic survival supplies, material support has been sufficient, including women's sanitary pads, a testament to the shift from emergency aid to meeting everyday needs.
However, local officials said there is a growing demand for diapers and milk powder, and efforts are underway to secure these supplies for affected families.
They added that the construction of prefabricated houses is now in full swing, with plans to relocate displaced residents to the new mobile homes equipped with water and electricity over the next few days.
With temperatures in most parts of Xizang forecast to drop by as much as 10 degrees Celsius starting Sunday, officials are expediting construction to ensure that residents are settled in time for the upcoming Spring Festival and the Tibetan New Year, which fall in late January and late February, respectively.
In Gurong Village of Changsuo Township, the area most severely affected by the earthquake, the inspection of prefabricated houses has been completed.
As of Saturday, all 56 affected households had moved into the new relocation units as of Saturday.
At night, displaced residents received essential items such as rice and flour distributed by the local authorities.
Despite outdoor temperatures dropping to as low as minus 3 degrees Celsius, residents reported a comfortable indoor temperature of around 23 degrees Celsius, thanks to electric heaters provided by the government.
Ma Jian, an officer with the Xizang Military Command, emphasized the importance of both warmth and safety for the affected residents. He said that rescue personnel visit each household every night to assess living conditions and check for safety hazards.
"We check on the living conditions of the displaced people every evening, reminding them about safely using fire for heating and electricity. We also help them correctly use carbon monoxide detectors, ensure windows are open for ventilation, and do everything we can to keep our compatriots in Xizang safe and warm this winter," he said.
A total of 1,653 aftershocks had been detected as of 10:00 Friday with the strongest measuring 4.4 magnitude, and occurring about 18 kilometers from the epicenter of the 6.8-magnitude earthquake, local authorities said.
Construction of prefabricated houses at full pace in Xizang as cold front approaches
Construction of prefabricated houses at full pace in Xizang as cold front approaches
