The mudslides killed 1,239 people and 505 are still missing, meanwhile, in southwestern China, already inundated by heavy downpours all summer, new rain-triggered landslides on August 14 left at least 38 people missing.

Thousands of people and vehicles were stranded as roads become impassable in Sichuan province. The only highway linking Wenchuan County to Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan province, was submerged under 13 feet of water.

About 10,000 residents have been evacuated. The county government has designated schools and office buildings of township governments as temporary shelters.

Students in Zhouqu will start the fall semester 10 days late because some schools were buried or suffered severe damage. Power had been restored to about 76 percent of affected homes.

Vegetables became available for the first time in nearly a week, the news agency reported.

The Chinese government has banned public entertainment, including movies, karaoke online videos and music, in remembrance of those who perished in Gansu province this week.