Rain may hamper rescue efforts
2008-05-12 21:28
Beijing - Rain forecast for southwest China's Sichuan province over the next three days could hamper rescue efforts after a major earthquake jolted the region, Xinhua news agency said on Monday.
Light or moderate rain showers were forecast for much of the province from late Monday through early Wednesday, meteorologist Yang Guiming told the agency.
"The western part of the Sichuan Basin will see heavier rain," said Yang, chief forecaster for China's Central Meteorological Station.
The 7.8 magnitude quake that struck on Monday at around 14:30 has left a trail of devastation through populated areas of the province, killing more than 8 600 people, according to official media reports.
National and provincial meteorological units will be on duty round the clock and have been asked to step up weather reporting capabilities, the agency said.