When I was on my way to Sichuan province's earthquake-devastated region last month, I imagined the possible scene - collapsed houses everywhere, rushing trucks loaded with rescue machinery and food, and broken-hearted people crying bitterly.

The magnitude-7 quake that rocked Ya'an city in the southwestern province on April 20 had left at least 196 people dead and 21 others missing.

When I arrived at Longmen township, the epicenter, on the morning of April 21, I found many collapsed wooden houses, smashed glass scattered on the ground, and homeless people asking for food and water from passing vehicles.