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July 25, 2008 11:44:02 AM CDT

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Huge Iraqi Dam Could Fail

Posted Oct 30, 07 5:51 PM CDT in World 

(Newser) – Iraq’s biggest dam is vulnerable to breaking and flooding the city of Mosul, killing up to 500,000 and flooding the Tigris River, the BBC reports. A US report today warns that an ongoing $27 million reconstruction project has not fixed the dam's flaws. Poor construction, incorrect parts, and possible fraud have marred repairs, the report said.

General Petraeus warned Maliki last May that the dam continued to pose a massive risk, AFP reports. But Baghdad publicly dismisses concerns, saying that repairs and water level management have made the dam safe for now. Yet, according to the report, "in terms of internal erosion potential of the foundation, Mosul Dam is the most dangerous dam in the world."

Sources BBC, AFP

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U.S. Adm. William Fallon, center, walks through a market area in Mosul, 360 kilometers (225 miles) northwest of Baghdad, Iraq, with Iraqi Maj. Gen. Wathiq al-Hamadani, left, Saturday Sept. 22, 2007. ...   (Associated Press)
The view from a helicopter as it flies above the dam in Mosul, Iraq, is seen in this Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005 file photo. U.S. effort to help Iraq repair Mosul Dam on the northern Tigris River "has yet...   (Associated Press)
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Iraq  • Baghdad  • Nouri al-Maliki  • David Petraeus  • Mosul


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