Special report: Reconstruction After Earthquake    

    BEIJING, June 16 -- Heavy rain is pounding the quake zone in Sichuan Province, causing landslides, power outages and hampering relief work and traffic flow. Troops are helping survivors deal with the challenging conditions.

    Leigu Township was one of the worst stricken towns in the quake. Not a single building appears safe for people to take shelter in anymore. So all the survivors have been relocated to tents in a nearby settlement, built by the army.

    Abandoned Beichuan county lies six kilometers to the north, located in the deeper mountains. It's one of the most devastated areas with more than half of its residents killed or still listed as missing.

    Nearly all-800 local villagers in this temporary settlement are still living in tents. That's because it takes time to receive materials and build makeshift houses, especially when deliveries and construction are disrupted by rainy days like this.

    Many local residents have lost family members, as well as their home.

    This local villager, Li Qiang, is cooking lunch. He says he lost his mother and 4 year old daughter in the quake. Now he has to take care of his wife and 7 year old son. He says he has been greatly helped by local authorities and the army who have been doing what they can to help local residents restore some sense of normality back to their lives.

    Li Qiang, Villager of Leigu Township of Beichuan County said "We've got food to eat and a place to live. The authorities give us all of this everyday, milk, instant-noodles, rice, flour. My son is now able to return to school over there. He is attending grade one of primary school. "

    The river running through Leigu Township suddenly became muddy and fast flowing in the morning. Villages say that's due to the rainstorm and landslides in the mountains surrounding the town.

    Electricity went out early in the morning but returned a few hours later. But water coming through pipes has become muddy because of the rainstorm. Locals say the water is only suitable for washing feet and shoes.

    The beautiful mountains surrounding the town have become dangerous for travelers. Multiple landslides triggered by the rainstorm have blocked some roads to the outside world.

    Villagers do their best to exchange information about open transportation routes. And also exchange stories about the inconvenience brought about by the rain.

    By late Saturday afternoon, the rain finally stopped. Work has begun again to clear landslides from the roads. And the army says delivery of relief supplies will begin again as soon as Sunday afternoon.

    (Source: cctv.com)