The New Nation - Internet Edition

China

AFP, Mianyang

A strong aftershock struck China's quake-battered Sichuan province Thursday, as rising water levels in a lake caused by landslides in the massive May 12 temblor forced evacuations from downstream areas.

There were no immediate reports of new damage or injuries caused by the 5.3 magnitude aftershock. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that it struck at 12:41 p.m. (12:41 a.m. EDT) just south of the town of Qingchuan at the relatively shallow depth of 6 miles.

Authorities had earlier begun evacuating people downstream from Tangjiashan lake, formed above the devastated town of Beichuan, after water rose to within 6 feet of flooding its bank. Authorities plan to drain lake water through a diversion channel as early as Thursday.