1,000 evacuated as lake rises
More than 10,000 people were moved to higher ground today as water continued to rise in a brimming lake formed by landslides from China’s May 12 earthquake and another strong aftershock rocked the quake-battered region.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries following the 5.3 aftershock in Sichuan province.
Meanwhile, Premier Wen Jiabao arrived by helicopter this afternoon in the town of Mianyang downstream from Tangjiashan lake to oversee attempts to drain the water. It was his third trip to the quake zone.
"Now is a critical moment for the Tangjiashan quake lake, and the most important thing is to ensure there are no casualties," Wen was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua News Agency.
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The lake was formed above the devastated town of Beichuan after rocks and soil blocked the route of the Tongkou river.
