Authorities allocate large sum for earthquake relief

The ministries of emergency management and finance have allocated 200 million yuan ($28 million) to Gansu and Qinghai to help disaster relief operations in jolt-stricken areas in the two provinces, according to a media release from the Ministry of Emergency Management.

The release said 150 million yuan will be provided to Gansu and the other 50 million yuan to Qinghai.

The fund will be used to safeguard the safety of people's lives and property as well as minimize the losses and damages caused by the tremor, it noted.

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake jolted the two provinces on Monday shortly before midnight. Its epicenter is located in Gansu's Jishishan county, which neighbors Donghai city in Qinghai.

The jolt had a focal depth of 12 kilometers. The average altitude of areas within five kilometers from its epicenter stands at 2,793 meters, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.