Relief in focus as hope for missing fades(2)

TRAFFIC PRESSURE

As rescuers are still hoping for a miracle to pull more survivors out of the quake debris, more attention has been shifted to the relief supply shortages.

Traffic authorities in Sichuan said that the congestion on roads linking the quake-hit regions contributed greatly to the ongoing insufficiency.

"The traffic pressure in Lushan is now five to 10 times higher than the designed capacity of the county's roads," He Zongzhi, head of the Sichuan Provincial Traffic Police Force told Xinhua.

"Clogged roads are making it difficult for life-saving relief supplies to reach quake-hit townships and villages," he added.

Trucks loaded with heavy machinery for rescue and road clearance have made Lushan's narrow mountainous paths even harder to drive on.

Landslides triggered by continual aftershocks have also posed danger to traffic.

Roads linking four townships and villages in Baoxing did not resume operation till 10 a.m., after rescuers removed rocks and mud.

China's traffic authority has ordered the police to instruct people to avoid travelling to affected areas by car to leave a clear path for quake relief personnel and materials.

Relief supplies have been arriving at Lushan County seat since late Saturday after traffic pressure eased. Residents were seen queueing up for instant noodles and bottled drinking water in several locations.

Special report: 7.0-magnitude earthquake jolts Ya'an