Power supply in quake area improves

Power supply in the quake-hit area has improved and residents there have the access to basic means of communications. This was revealed at a press conference in Beijing on Monday by Officials from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Officials say right after the earthquake rocked Yushu county, 60% of its 185 power stations were out of service.

Technicians from China's Industry and Information Technology Ministry were soon dispatched to the epicenter for emergency repair.

After almost a week, communications in all the six counties of the Tibetan autonomous prefecture of Yushu resumed. Residents in small towns can have access to at least one means of communication, such as a home or mobile phone. More than 200 satellite phones are also being used in quake-hit areas. They've played a critical role in communicating with the outside world.

Miao Wei, Vice Minister of Industry & Information Tech. Ministry, said, "A total of 908 technicians have been sent to the quake-hit areas. We also dispatched 82 vehicles for emergency communication, 132 satellite phones, and 369 generators. We will provide stable radio service to major fields such as air control, navigation and the direction of rescue operation."

Officials also dispatched 500 stretchers, 150 first-aid kits and 8 excavators to the quake-hit zones. Medicine to ease altitude sickness was also sent to help rescuers.