Quake-hit region braces for Typhoon Nida in China

NANNING -- With Typhoon Nida set to make landfall Tuesday, south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region is checking for any risks that may cause secondary disasters after it experienced a moderate earthquake Sunday.

The 5.4-magnitude tremor in Cangwu County, Wuzhou City, was felt at 5:18 pm, some houses in two townships close to the epicenter were damaged. No casualties have been reported, according to the local government.

County head Xie Shangao said the damaged houses were mostly constructed with mud-brick or clay, and residents have been relocated to properties belonging to village Communist Party of China (CPC) committees or schools.

"Typhoon Nida is expected to sweep across the region, bringing more risks for further disasters," he said.

Specialists are examining houses, bridges, reservoirs, embankments and hydropower stations to prevent secondary disasters, said Lin Shufeng, Party head of the Cangwu County.

Zhong Guoli, from Siai Village, said the tremor left some minor cracks on his cement house, and an uninhabited mud house nearby collapsed.

"We are scared to asleep at night, and are ready to run outside if we feel an aftershock," he said.

Guangxi Zhuang weather station has issued a yellow alert for storms, forecasting torrential rains across the region in the next three days. The typhoon is expected to make landfall in South China Tuesday.