The Ministry of Land and Resources has issued urgent notices to help educate the public on how to react to potential disasters that could follow Monday's quake.

Officials cautioned that Minxian, Zhanxian, Zhuoni, and Lixian counties and other surrounding areas lie in a high incidence zone. Officials warned local residents and rescuers to pay attention to aftershocks and heavy rain. Experts also advised people to stay in open areas following a disaster and wait to be rescued.

Cui Ying, senior official of Ministry of Land & Resources, said, "The safest place is where there are no high mountains, no valleys, no slopes and no gravel. You should stay in a relatively flat and open space."

The official also said people should pay more attention to weather forecasts and abide by the arrangemets by local authorities. Other advices included staying away from steep areas following heavy rain, and reporting falling debris.