Local residents begin to rebuild Beichuan

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Source: CCTV.com | 06-10-2008 08:45

One of the counties worst-hit by the earthquake - Beichuan - is just 90 kilometers from the epicenter, Wenchuan. Relief workers and local residents are now trying to pick up the pieces of their lives.

Local authorities engaged in relief work are now focusing on how best to use the space.

The deadly tragedy has totally destroyed almost all the buildings here in Leigu town, Beichuan County. Only this place of 3,000 square meters escaped relatively unscathed.

It now houses over 20,000 victims from the neighboring areas.

Local authorities engaged in relief work are now focusing on how best to use the space. With this in mind, they're living in makeshift homes but are building permanent ones to make their lives more stable.

Fang Dijie from Bureau of Construction, Mianyang, said, "It takes two weeks for us to build makeshift homes and temporarily relocate all the residents. We are also continuing infrastructure construction, getting the power and water supplies back and building roads in a bid to provide them with permanent homes."

Moreover, squares, stores and other infrastructure are also being designed for the long term.

Drains like these are buried only one meter deep in temporary shelters. But drains in Leigu town are buried six or seven meters underground. And the drains are built with high-tech materials to ensure they are more durable.

A working staff of Nat'l Power Grid, Mianyang Branch, said, "Power lines in Leigu town are buried underground. It costs more, but it's safer and looks better."

The reconstruction of permanent homes for local residents may take years. But they'll be able to move into temporary houses in early August.

Editor:Zhang Ning