The Chinese authorities said the death toll of the terrible earthquake that stuck the Asian nation on Monday could top the 50,000 landmark. Beijing also said that about 400 dams and reservoirs near the epicenter of the tremor suffered damages and authorities are worried that this could be the cause of further deaths in the region.

China’s military is making huge efforts to rescues as many people as possible. Tens of thousands are believed to be still under the rubble from the earth quake. The death toll in Sichuan, the province that suffered the most from the quake, has risen above 19,500 according to local authorities.

However, the military sent troops to help fix the cracks in the Zipingpu Dam in Sichuan, Xinhua news agency said. Nearly 130,000 troops were deployed in Sichuan province to help rescue victims caught under rubble and 101 helicopters were also sent to airlift victims and drop emergency supplies to the survivors.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent has issued an emergency appeal for medical help, food, water and tents.

The landslides caused by the huge quake hindered the efforts to reach 20,000 people in three towns near Wenchuan County, the area where the quake originated.

Japan sent a professional emergency relief team Thursday. The 30 member team which is to arrive in Sichuan on Friday is the first foreign rescue team allowed in the country.