Despite official rhetoric about the progress made in rebuilding earthquake-ravaged Sichuan, strong aftershocks in the past few days have laid bare the vulnerability of reconstruction efforts.
Qingchuan , Wenchuan and the area between Beichuan and Pingwu counties, all areas hard hit by the May 12 quake - were dealt further blows when strong aftershocks caused more deaths and injuries and more houses to collapse.
The areas sit among mountains that were jolted in May, and the aftershocks further loosened damaged slopes, causing landslides.
An aftershock on August 1 and subsequent heavy rainfall caused the closure of the road leading from Dujiangyan to Yingxiu , epicentre of the May 12 quake. The road was closed for two days after it was cut off by landslides, said Yingxiu residents. 'We've an escape route you see,' said Li Yan , pointing to a path leading to a higher area from beside rows of makeshift shelters built on flatlands in a valley.
'The soldiers said we should all run to that area when there was heavy flooding. We dare not change into our pyjamas, as we have to be prepared to escape every night.'
Yingxiu had been one of the stops for tourists travelling by road to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong - the most popular beauty spots for tourists in the province. But even though provincial tourism authorities yesterday lifted the ban on tours to the areas, Yingxiu residents know the days when hordes stopped to buy snacks from their stalls are gone - at least for the time being. Resident Peng Hua said: 'Our road to Wenchuan is still broken. You need to walk for 4km to get there from here if you really want to.
'But there's a quake lake nearby, so the road's very dangerous ... some of us have no choice as some of our family members live in Wenchuan.