Quake-hit Dingri county residents provided with hot meals, clothing and shelter

The basic living needs of the affected residents in the quake-hit Dingri county, Shigatse city of the Xizang autonomous region, have been satisfied, with hot meals and heating equipment provided, said officials at a news conference on Thursday afternoon.

About 47,500 people are living at 224 resettlement sites after more than 3,600 houses collapsed.

The priority was to improve living conditions in the temporary shelters so that the residents could "live a safe and warm winter", said Hao Tao, deputy director of the Xizang Emergency Management Department, at the conference.

They have put on cotton clothes, moved into tents, covered themselves with blankets, lit fires, enjoyed hot meals, drunk clean drinking water, and received timely medical treatment when ill, he said, adding that relief supplies are basically adequate.

The earthquake-stricken areas have set up about 12,000 tents, with supplies such as folded beds, blankets and heating equipment.

Wang Fanghong, mayor of Shigatse, said the disaster-hit area has a temperature as low as minus 18 C at night. Authorities have distributed winter supplies, including quilts, blankets, thermal clothing, cotton shoes and electric blankets to help keep residents warm.

"They have rice, noodles, vegetables, beef and mutton to eat," he said, adding that zanba(a traditional rice cake) and butter tea are also available, which are popular among Tibetan people.

Hao said that efforts are underway to provide psychological support to those affected.

The initial round of search efforts has been completed, and the next phase involves comprehensive, village-by-village searches to ensure no one is neglected.

Liu Boqian contributed to this story.