As the mainland focuses its attention and resources on providing disaster relief and planning the massive reconstruction effort in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake, another crisis looms on the horizon.
While last month's disaster in Sichuan and the crippling snowstorms in February were natural disasters, the next one is likely to be man-made.
With the summer peak season for energy consumption upon us, the mainland is bracing for massive blackouts in major cities, serious disruptions of industrial production, long queues at petrol stations, and, possibly, frustrated drivers and others taking to the streets to protest at fuel shortages.
This is not alarmist talk. Worrying signs have already emerged nationwide. Officials have warned of an acute shortage of electricity during the summer as rising coal prices have forced many coal-fired power plants to stop operation.
The State Grid - the nation's power distribution monopoly - warned last week of a shortage of 10 million kW this summer. Many provinces have inadequate coal stocks for power supply, with the reserves running below the crucial seven-day level in Hebei , Anhui , Hunan and Hainan provinces.
While there have been no reports of widespread blackouts yet, Guangdong has already suffered brownouts - dips in voltage - and factories in many cities have been forced to stop production because of the compulsory electricity rationing.
