Rain may toughen rescue efforts in quake-stricken SW China

BEIJING - Showers and thunder might occur in the next two days in the quake-stricken Southwest China's Sichuan province, China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said Tuesday.

Cloudy weather was forecast for the next two days, with the possibilities of showers and thunder in Changning county of Yichang city, the CMA said.

The affected areas will also see moderate to heavy rain from June 20 and June 22.

Twelve people died and another 125 were injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit Changning County of Yichang City at 10:55 pm Monday, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM).

On Tuesday morning, the MEM activated an emergency response and sent rescue teams to the stricken areas to provide guidance in disaster relief.

The ministry and National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration dispatched 5,000 tents, 10,000 folding beds and 20,000 cotton-padded quilts to the areas.

Safety inspection and rescue efforts are underway, with 116 fire fighting trucks and 526 firefighters on the scene as of 6 am Tuesday.

Emergency responses were also activated at the local levels.