A strong aftershock has rattled the area near a dangerously swollen quake lake in southwest China, triggering landslides on nearby mountains.
The state-run Xinhua news agency said that the impact on the quake lake was being monitored.
The US Geological Survey reported a 5.0-magnitude earthquake at the exact same time, with its epicentre located 70km northwest of quake-hit Mianyang.
Earlier today China said that water levels in the swollen quake lake are still rising and senior officials warned the situation remained dangerous.
Soldiers have already dug one drainage channel to contain Tangjiashan Lake, and are working to clear a second one in hopes of reducing the risk that it might burst through its banks.
The lake has become one of the most pressing issues in the aftermath of the 12 May quake that struck mountainous Sichuan province, killing 69,136 and leaving 17,686 others missing, according to the latest toll issued today.
Millions more have been left homeless by the 8.0-magnitude quake, which triggered massive landslides that blocked rivers and created more than 30 unstable quake lakes, including the Tangjiashan one on the Jianjiang river.
Troops yesterday began draining water from the Tangjiashan Lake through a hastily dug channel to stop it from breaking through its banks and emptying 220 million cubic metres of water downstream.
Between 400 and 500mm of rainfall, well above the normal level, is forecast upstream in June and July.
