Provisional statistics released by Disaster Relief Command Center in Mianzhu City, Sichuan Province on the night of May 14, indicate that casualties in Mianzhu have risen to 40,000, including about 4,000 dead. Supplies such as tents, foods and drinking water are urgently needed.

At present all water, power and air supplies are cut off in Mianzhu City. Some communication lines are open to support the emergency effort. The routes to three townships of Mianzhu - Qingming, Tianchi and Jinhua are completely blocked. Casualty figures are still uncertain due to difficulties in communication. Emergency relief teams were sent to each of the three towns on May 14. Landslides have created a number of water deposits that could collapse at any time and provoke flash floods. The need for relief is critical.

Many inhabitants are living in gardens, squares and other open spaces. Supplies such as tents, food and drinking water are urgently needed.

(China.org.cn by Wu Huanshu May 15, 2008)