AFTERSHOCKS & FLOODS: Yesterday, a 5.8 aftershock hit China's Sichuan province. Centered near Mianyang, it injured 480 people, killed two, damaged roads, and devastated more than 270,000 homes. Now China's Vice Minister of Water Resources warns that 69 dams cracked in the original quake may collapse.

With torrential rains in the forecast, many survivors worry about flooding and mudslides. The government has already evacuated 20,000 people from potential flood zones.

Sichuan Earthquake: Quick Facts

Aftershocks Continue

Sichuan province experienced nearly 8,000 aftershocks in the two weeks since the original earthquake. One aftershock registered 6.0 and another 5.8, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. (China uses its own seismic measurements.)

Quake Lake Flooding

Throughout the province, 35 large lakes formed after the May 12 earthquake when landslides blocked rivers. Some of these lakes threaten to overflow their banks and flood nearby towns, especially with heavy rains expected over the next few days.

One such "quake lake" outside of Beichuan rose almost six feet in one day. About 1,800 soldiers, each carrying 22 pounds of explosives, hiked toward the lake this weekend. They hope to blast through the debris before the river floods. Earlier they had tried to reach the area by helicopter, but couldn't because of rain.

Thousands of survivors have already been evacuated downstream. In fact, about 20,000 people have been evacuated from potential flood zones near 19 of the quake lakes. Chinese Vice Minister of Water Resources E Jingping worries the quake lakes could affect more than 700,000 people.

Original Story

Earthquake in China Kills More than 40,000 (update 5)

Copyright © 2009 Informify

Sources

Strong Aftershock Strikes Central China (Voice of America, 5/25/08)

Powerful aftershock kills 1 in China; 260 hurt (Associated Press, 5/25/08)

Two dead, more than 480 injured as major aftershock hits China quake zone (China View, 5/25/08)

Official: Quake lakes under control but situation still grim (China View, 5/25/08)

Question for Readers:

The Chinese people of Sichuan province survived the devastating earthquake only to face even more challenges-rains, floods, lack of drinking water, lack of shelter, the list goes on. How would you handle this life-threatening stress?