Reconstruction work has begun after a 6.6-magnitude earthquake jolted Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region last week.
In the two most severely hit villages in Jinghe County, local residents have moved their tents back to their houses, where debris from the earthquake has been cleared. Workers have begun building new houses in the villages.
A total of 384 damaged houses will be demolished, according to the county government.
"Reconstruction will be completed so that 2,642 households in the quake-hit area can move into new houses before winter comes," said Chen Xinbo, standing deputy head of the county.
The earthquake on Aug. 9 injured 32 people.
