The official Xinhua news agency said the troops landed in Maoxian, which was cut off following the 7.9-magnitude quake that has left upward of 15,000 people dead and tens of thousands injured, buried or missing in southwestern China.

Two hydropower stations in the area were heavily damaged, sparking fears of dam breaks and prompting evacuation of the area's survivors.

Plans to parachute troops and supplies into Wenchuan County Tuesday were canceled due to bad weather, Xinhua said. Some 11,420 military personnel were taken to Sichuan province aboard 79 flights to aid in rescue efforts, the army said.