Barrier lake poses danger in China quake zone

Soldiers try to make a sluice channel from the barrier lake, which is formed when landslides blocked the Niulan River, in Ludian County, Southwest China's Yunnan province, Aug 12, 2014. The water level of the barrier lake is rising alarmingly, thus posing a risk for local residents. [Photo/Xinhua]

Relief workers have completed a channel to drain a barrier lake that threatened thousands of people, following last week's earthquake in Southwest China's Yunnan Province.

It has taken over 1-thousand rescuers seven days to complete the canal.

Commander on-site say the barrier lake is no longer a threat to people living downstream.

Nearly 13-thousand people evacuated homes after the formation of the barrier lake which was made by landslides and debris after the earthquake last week.

Meantime, a temporary school has been built in the quake zone.

The campus is capable of accommodating some 500 students.

Social workers are continuing to help organize summer camps and provide psychological counseling.

Wu Siyu is a volunteer of the China Youth Development Foundation.

"We have special counseling sessions for the children who are showing serious post-quake trauma symptoms. Those who only have slight symptoms will be provided with self-protection lessons and psychological counseling in summer camps. The first phase of our program will last until Sep 10."

Local authorities say the quake-hit region has received some 500-million yuan, or close to 90 million US dollars, of cash donations, as well as some 160 million yuan worth of relief materials.