The difficulties and challenges involved with rescue efforts after a massive earthquake were obvious in Ludian county in Zhaotong, Yunnan province, on Sunday afternoon.

It is hard to confirm the extent of the damage from the natural disaster at present, as basic facilities, such as roads, electricity and telecommunications, were badly affected in the quake so rescue workers do not yet know all of what happened at the epicenter, the rescue command post in the province said.

It will also be difficult to rebuild the area, because the county is densely populated and houses there have been seriously damaged, the command post said, adding that local finances cannot afford such a huge rebuilding project.

Many rescue vehicles carrying relief materials must negotiate damaged roads to reach the county, but constant rain and mud-rock flows have increased the difficulty of road repairs, the command post said.

The provincial commander asked rescuers to pay extra attention to transporting injured people in such terrible weather and physical conditions.

The commander added that avoiding more damage from geological hazards such as landslides in the area should also be considered carefully.