Barrier lake in Pingwu to be drained

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Source: CCTV.com | 06-22-2008 12:17

Rising water levels at a barrier lake in Pingwu County are forcing relief workers to begin drainage efforts.

Rising water levels at a barrier lake in Pingwu County are forcing relief workers to begin drainage efforts.

This quiet lake will no longer be calm when the next heavy rain comes. The barrier lake was formed after the May 12th earthquake, and is threatening the safety of residents downstream. The water is already above the warning level.

Wang Zhongxue, Group Leader of Drainage Project Group said "This barrier lake already holds about 11 million cubic meters of water. The flood season has come, and the threat is increasingly severe. We now must prepare to drain the lake. "

Workers are digging a drainage sluice, and monitoring efforts have been intensified.

Wu Xiaohua, Official of Pingwu County said "Six people are staying on the dam to monitor the water around the clock. In this way, we can get enough information to implement the drainage project."

Over 20,000 residents have prepared for evacuation.

The lake is expected to be drained on Sunday. This is the last risky lake in Pingwu County, where six other quake-formed barrier lakes have already been made safe.

Editor:Xiong Qu