Resettlement sites, prefabricated houses set up in quake-hit Xizang

Authorities' emergency response swings into high gear after 16 people died and 76 others injured from the magnitude-7.0 earthquake that jolted Baqen County in Xizang Autonomous Region, also known as Tibet, Thursday night.

On top of the 50 million yuan allocated in emergency disaster relief funds, China has earmarked another 30 million yuan for recovery efforts. 339 homes were damaged or destroyed in the quake, according to the information office of Nagqu municipal government.

At the heart of disaster zone Maru Township, rows of temporary resettlement sites are erected with construction on the remainder expedited to deliver safe shelter and basic living necessities to displaced residents.

Tents for over 50 households have been put up to fend off freezing temperatures outside that dropped to about 5 degrees below zero while relief supplies such as bedding, clothing, instant noodles, beverages and bottled water are promptly distributed to the site.

Some of the affected people are moving from tents into the first batch of prefabricated houses, with more such units expected to be delivered gradually in the coming days.