ONGOING EFFORTS
As of Tuesday noon, the government has mobilized 22,400 people and 130 machines and vehicles to support rescue missions.
The central government has allocated a total of 20,000 tents, 50,000 cotton coats, 50,000 quilts, 15,000 folding beds and 15,000 sleeping bags to affected areas in Tibet.
The golden 72 hours are up, but rescuers are continuing with their mission and are not giving up hope.
Although the main artery that links Gyirong Town with Gyirong landport remains impassable, blocked by debris from landslides, the water held by landslide-triggered barrier lake has decreased from 280,000 cubic meters to 67,000 cubic meters.
So far, 29 base stations have been restored in affected area thanks to engineers' efforts. Communications have resumed in the counties of Gyirong and Nyalam.
More than 160 health workers have arrived and epidemic prevention and control is underway, said Wang Shoubi, deputy head of the region's health authorities.
More than 200 Chinese remain trapped in a hydropower station in Nepal and around 130 villagers in Tibet's border village of Rosog since Saturday's earthquake.
The group in the hydropower station are all workers and their families of the China-assisted build project, near the China-Nepal border.
Nearly 70 of those stranded at both the hydropower station and Tibetan village had been airlifted to safety by Chinese helicopters as of Tuesday, said the rescue headquarters.
CHALLENGES
Secondary disasters, traffic disruptions, extreme weather and insufficient relief supplies are hampering rescue efforts.
Several earthquakes have been monitored in Xigaze City, with the strongest measuring 5.9 magnitude.
Secondary disasters, such as landslides, mudslides and barrier lakes have been triggered by continual aftershocks.
Rain and snow has been forecast to hit Nyalam County in the following days.
In Gyirong County, Lhapa and his family are sat on a water-proof pad in their tent. The 20 square-meter tent is clean and has sufficient quilts piled up near the door.
"My house in the Rosog Village was destroyed by falling rocks. The military helicopter brought us there, and rescuers provided us with clothes, food and medicine," Lhapa said. "We are lucky."
In this resettlement site, the largest in Gyirong, more than 120 blue tents are now the temporary homes of over 1,600 people. The displaced residents have access to clinics, police stations, canteens and free telephones, all set up by the rescue teams.
However, relief is still needed. More than 900 residents in Rongxar, another worst affected town, have a shortage of tents, quilts and food, said Shenyong, an army officer.
