LUDIAN, Yunnan -- Reports of soldiers in the frontline of the Yunnan rescue eating instant noodles cooked in muddy water moved the nation, but have drawn questions over the army's competence.

Live:589 dead as strong quake jolts SW China

"Roads were blocked by landslides and our vehicles had to stop miles away from Longtoushan. We had to march, carrying bottled water and food," said Hu He, an armed police officer who was among the first to arrive at the epicenter.

The earthquake, the strongest to strike southwest China's Yunnan Province in 14 years, occurred at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, killing at least 589 people.

"When we arrived, we rushed to save people, and didn't have time or the conditions to eat," Hu added.

Roads blocked by landslides have made it difficult to transport large amounts of supplies and equipment.

Press photos showed soldiers eating noodles cooked in muddy water.Volunteer Jiang Hongxiu told Xinhua that the quake damaged local tap water supply, leaving the water tainted with sand and mud.

Song Hongbin, a disease control expert, said that cooking in muddy water is a last resort but should be quite safe if the water has been properly boiled.

Fortunately, the situation did not last long.

"Muddy water was only used for two meals on Aug. 4. Since then, clean water has been available, transported here from the outside," said Jiang.

On Monday evening, more materials reached Longtoushan and soldiers were able to have hot food the next day.

Yang Bo, head of Yunnan armed police logistics department, said as the road was cleared, the army would provide hot water for soldiers to shower.