The vice-governor of Sichuan province said 55,239 people were now known to have died in the 12 May quake. Li Chengyun appealed for more tents and set a three-year goal to rebuild towns and infrastructure in the region. Meanwhile, concern is growing over a number of new lakes formed by the force of the earthquake. Thirty-four lakes were created in the province when landslides blocked rivers, Xinhua news agency said. Eight held more than 3 million cubic metres of water and one lake, less than 3km ( two miles) from Beichuan town, had doubled in size in four days. Officials are monitoring the lakes and have sent experts to assess them, the agency said. Forecasters predict heavy rain in the region next week, which could further raise the water levels in the lakes. Read the full story here. Miss M.
