China

Troops race to clear blocked river

by Hannah Lippitt

Article published on the 2008-05-26 Latest update 2008-05-26 11:55 TU

Collapsed buildings in the north of Sichuan province
(Photo: Reuters)

Soldiers in China are working hard at clearing a river in Sichuan province which became dammed after the earthquake two weeks ago. Given continuing seismic activity and forecasts of heavy rain in the region, more than one million people could be at risk from floods. The operation to reduce the so-called "quake lake" came as the confirmed death toll passed 65,000.

More than 23,000 people are still missing in the earthquake hit areas of China. There have been thousands of aftershocks which have hampered efforts to provide food, shelter and medical help to the millions of people left homeless.

One of the main concerns on Monday was the build-up of a massive amount of water on the Jian river in Beichuan county, and the risk of major flooding if it burst its banks.

In the past week, more than 100,000 people have been evacuated downstream, and if there's flooding, more than one million others would be at risk, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Vice Minister of Water Resources E Jingping said the swelling body of water is one of about 35 "quake lakes" that could cause huge problems if they burst.

He stressed there was no imminent danger from the lakes, but said that the heavy rains expected over the next few days would heighten flood risks.

Sichuan was hit by its biggest aftershock on Sunday. Eight people were killed, hundreds of others were injured, and tens of thousands of houses collapsed.

The aftershock had an impact on China's stock market, which fell by 3.13 percent on Monday, the tremor adding to concerns that the economic impact of the disaster might be greater than originally forecast.