Rescue & Aid

New wells to provide clean water in quake zone

By Hu Yongqi and Qi Xiao in Yushu (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-04-25 21:45

Yushu, Qinghai - One hundred wells will be dug to provide clean water for residents in Yushu, where 7.1-magnitude earthquake left 2,203 dead as of Sunday, said Liu Qingshan, director of the Qinghai land and resources department.

The first well had running water on Friday after three days of hard digging, The well can supply 1,000 cubic meters of water every day, meeting the needs of about 6,000 people.

"Four wells have already been drilled and are pumping water," said 56-year-old Qiao Yongshun, who worked at a drilling site in Gyegu Town, "We are working round the clock to dig more wells so that survivors can have clean drinking water as soon as possible."

Due to power shortages, water pumped from the wells couldn't be immediately transported to local residents, Qiao added.