It has been almost a week since flood waters receded in Zhouqu county in northwest China's Gansu Province. The water level of the previously blocked Bailong river has returned to normal. Rescuers are still clearing debris from a deadly mudslide that struck the county last month.

Thousands of soldiers using heavy machinery, have so far cleared 24,000 cubic meters of mud. Officials say they expect to remove all of the mud by Sunday. Clean-up work has met many challenges, with mud in some areas still at 3 meters deep. Some local residents are also helping soldiers in the operation. Officials say 205 buildings that were inundated with mud and debris need to be checked for safety before full operation. Buildings that are severely damaged, will be demolished and rebuilt.