More rain expected in China quake zone

BEIJING- More rain is forecast this week for areas of southwestern China that were devastated by a massive earthquake, further hampering rescue efforts, China's meteorological authority said Wednesday.
Heavy rain that has drenched the worst-hit areas near the quake epicentre was expected to diminish on Wednesday, but showers would persist through the week, the China Meteorological Administration said.
The agency added that the rain, combined with the geological trauma to the hilly quake-hit region, raised the danger of further landslides.
Landslides and other quake damage have wiped out roads into the worst-hit areas, complicating efforts to reach communities where thousands were reportedly trapped under collapsed homes, schools and factories.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms also caused the military to call off a planned airdrop into the epicentre zone on Tuesday.
A top general was quoted on Wednesday as saying the air force was poised to carry out the airdrops as soon as weather allowed.
The 7.9-magnitude quake has caused more than 12,000 confirmed deaths but that toll was expected to rise sharply once hard-hit communities were reached.