China has reopened roads leading to the epicenter of Monday's 6.8 magnitude earthquake in the southern province of Sichuan, and traffic has resumed, according to official media on Wednesday. The death toll has increased to 74.

In addition, People's Daily stated that 259 individuals were injured and 26 were still missing as of Tuesday night.

The most powerful earthquake to strike the province since 2017 destroyed many structures and severely damaged electricity, water, and communications infrastructure.

On Tuesday, 11,000 people were evacuated from the county of Luding, where the earthquake was centered, as rescuers hurried to reach stranded residents, restore utilities, and bring emergency aid.

China Earthquake Networks Centre detected a magnitude three aftershock at a depth of 12 kilometers at the epicenter early Wednesday morning (7.5 miles).

Until Friday, weather forecasters have also warned of the possibility of severe rainfall in the region.