BEIJING - The death toll from China's most powerful earthquake in years has reached 149, with two people still missing after the tremor struck northwestern parts of the country last week. The 6.2-magnitude quake hit a remote mountainous area between Gansu and Qinghai provinces on December 18, causing widespread devastation.

State broadcaster CCTV reported on Monday that the death toll in Donghai city in Qinghai had increased by one to 32, with rescuers still searching for the missing individuals. In neighboring Gansu province, authorities had confirmed 117 fatalities. Additionally, nearly 1,000 people were injured and more than 14,000 homes were destroyed in what is considered China's deadliest earthquake in nine years.

In response to the disaster, primary schools in Jishishan county in Gansu have resumed classes in tents. Local authorities have vowed to use the winter break to repair damaged schools and set up temporary structures, ensuring that classes can resume as normal in the upcoming spring semester.

With temperatures dropping well below freezing, authorities have swiftly constructed temporary housing units for the survivors. CGTN, the international arm of the state broadcaster, reported that the first batch of 500 temporary housing units had been completed in Meipo, a village in Gansu, on Friday night. As a result, over 87,000 people have been resettled after the earthquake, demonstrating the commitment to provide aid and support to those affected.

During his visit to the affected areas, Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the need for improving living conditions for the survivors. He visited several villages in Gansu and a county in Qinghai, urging authorities to take immediate action to ensure the well-being of those affected.

China is prone to earthquakes, with the majority occurring in the western part of the country, including Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces, as well as the Xinjiang region and Tibet. The country's deadliest earthquake in recent years was a 7.9-magnitude tremor in 2008, which resulted in nearly 90,000 casualties and widespread destruction in Sichuan province. This tragedy led to a long-term effort to rebuild using more resilient materials.

As the rescue and recovery efforts continue, the Chinese government remains dedicated to providing support to the affected regions and ensuring that survivors are provided with the necessary resources for their recovery and rebuilding processes.