Over six months after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake leveled homes in Senga Village, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, residents are now preparing to move into safe, modern new homes.
On January 7 this year, a 6.8-magnitude quake struck Dingri County. Among the hardest-hit areas was Senga Village in Changsuo Township, where all 125 homes were destroyed, forcing more than 600 residents to evacuate.
But now, tremendous transformation has taken place in Senga. The once-damaged road into the village is now newly paved. Several new restaurants serving Xizang cuisine have sprung up along the path to the village's transition housing area, showing early signs of community revival.
The core construction of the new Senga Village is largely complete, with rows of brand-new homes now standing where rubble once lay.
"We've rebuilt 126 homes. Everyone will move in on August 15. I feel truly happy," said Pasang, Party branch secretary of Senga Village.
The reconstruction has been led by Shanghai Construction Group, which broke ground on March 11. The team worked defying the challenges of high-altitude conditions, oxygen shortages, and extreme weather, while strictly adhering to earthquake-resistance standards.
"The homes are very sturdy because we designed them with a seismic fortification intensity of level 8. That means even if another 6.8-magnitude earthquake occurs in the future, they will be completely safe. We've also used various types of robots in the construction process, including plastering and leveling robots, to assist with the work and ensure the project is completed and ready for handover by August 15," said Gan Shu, project manager of the Shanghai aid team in Senga.
The new village features multiple floor plans based on household size. Even the two-story homes have foundations built to support three stories, allowing villagers to expand in the future. Inside, homes are spacious, with living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and modern shower facilities, enhancing comfort and convenience.
During the day, many adults lend a hand at the construction site. Children often visit to check on progress, dreaming of the moment they can move into their new homes.
At the heart of the new village lies a spacious square, where one building stands out -- the village history museum, which is still under construction.
"We're working against the clock to finish housing reconstruction across Changsuo Township. The whole construction will be finished by the end of August," said Xiao Jun, head of Changsuo Township.
Xizang's Senga Village rises anew after devastating quake
