Sub-zero temperatures, snow and rain are hampering rescue efforts in the earthquake zone in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where at least 268 people were killed and over 4,000 injured.

Snow began falling on Saturday and had turned to icy sleet by Monday in Bachu County, the epicenter of the February 24 earthquake, which measured 6.8 on the Richter scale.

The temperature has dropped noticeably and the sleet is expected to continue until tomorrow, according to meteorologists in Kashi Prefecture.

With temperatures creeping as low as minus 3 C, officials are facing growing problems caring for the survivors.

The quake-hit areas badly need tents and other items to combat the cold, according to sources at the earthquake rescue headquarters in Bachu.

Thirty tons of plastic sheeting have been distributed to local residents to build makeshift shelters. Another 30 tons have been collected from neighboring areas and are awaiting distribution, according to the headquarters.

Moreover, 7,000 tents were hurrying their way to Bachu from North China's Tianjin, which is about 3,000 km away, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Two solar electricity generators donated by the Yingli New Energy Resources Co restored heat and light yesterday to some areas of Bachu.

The generators are capable of providing 7.5 kilowatt-hours per day and are worth 200,000 yuan (US$24,160) each. The generators will be used by a local hospital and the rescue headquarters.

As survivors struggled to get their lives back to normal, seismological experts warned that the quake-jolted areas could experience further aftershocks measuring 5 or 6 on the Richter scale.

Du Wei, an expert with the China Seismological Bureau, called on the government of Xinjiang to work out a comprehensive disaster-relief plan and to provide technical guidance for local residents.

He advised local residents to rebuild their homes with earthquake-resistant materials.

According to the State Seismological Bureau, more than 1,000 aftershocks have shaken Jiashi and Bachu counties since last week's earthquake. Two of the tremors measured 5 degrees on the Richter scale.

Health experts suggested that psychologists should be sent to the afflicted areas because many survivors - especially the old and the young - are suffering varying degrees of trauma.

(China Daily March 4, 2003)