Landslides dam water in 34 locations in Quake Ravaged area

NHK WORLD English
Exerpt:

China taking steps against 34 landslide dams

Chinese officials say they are observing more than 30 dams created by landslides caused by the earthquake in Sichuan Province.

The Land and Natural Resources Ministry says that 34 landslide dams have been identified by Wednesday.

The ministry says the government is monitoring the water levels of the landslide dams by taking high-precision aerial photos.

Where there is a danger of landslide dams breaking, the ministry says, officials are warning residents of downstream areas and rescuers from the military and armed police to evacuate to highland areas.

In some rivers in Beichuan and Qingchuan Counties in the north of Sichuan Province relief workers have reportedly succeeded in making channels to divert water downstream out of the accumulated mud and earth, and as a result, water levels are said to be lowering gradually.

An official of the Land and Natural Resources Ministry said a rainy season will start in the stricken region and that aftershocks might cause more landslides. The ministry has mobilized more than 800 geological experts from across China to cope with the landslide dams and has been installing warning systems.