Chinese authorities ordered on Friday the evacuation of nearly 1.3 million people who are living in the area endangered by the lake formed after the devastating earthquake hit Sichuan province, Xinhua state-run news agency reported.

Many of the people who are being evacuated were living in tents or other similar shelters after their homes were leveled by the 7.9 tremor. They were evacuated because they were living in a valley who may be hit by a huge torrent of water if the “quake lake” breaks the barrage.

However, a local Chinese government spokesman denied the fact that the massive evacuation is under way.

The dam which holds the lake was formed by a landslide after the devastating May 12 quake.

“1.3 million people living downstream (of) Tangjiashan, a swelling quake-induced lake, must evacuate to higher grounds," said Communist Party secretary of Mianyang city according to Xinhua.

Chinese soldiers were still working to drain the lake formed above Beichuan town. About 40 heavy earth-moving machines were used by the military to drain the lake through channels.

Evacuations had been already made downstream. Nearly 158,000 people from nearly 170 communities were relocated and authorities said there was a possibility to evacuate many more if the problem of the “quake lake” isn’t solved in time. The town of Beichuan was sealed off.

Chinese authorities released an updated death toll of the earthquake. Beijing estimated the powerful tremor killed at least 68,109. Another 23,150 are missing. More than 420,000 homes collapsed.

The quake also left approximately five million people without home. Several powerful aftershocks have struck the area hindering the relief efforts. The last aftershock hit the area on Sunday killing six other people and wrecking 300,000 more homes.