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Burst Dams New Peril in Quake Aftermath

Flooding could hurt rescue efforts — or kill more, China warns

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted May 14, 2008 5:46 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Chinese authorities are warning of possible flooding and further destruction caused by bursting dams in the aftermath of Monday's catastrophic earthquake, Reuters reports. "The most dangerous problems are several reservoirs near Wenchuan," about 30 miles northwest of the ruined city of Dujiangyan, one official said. The Zipingpu dam, 6 miles upriver of Dujiangyan, has passed a safety check, state TV announced this evening.

A man builds a temporary shelter in a park in Dujiangyan, in China's southwest Sichuan province Wednesday May 14, 2008.
A man builds a temporary shelter in a park in Dujiangyan, in China's southwest Sichuan province Wednesday May 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
This Sept. 14, 2007 picture released by GeoEye Satellite Image shows the Zipingpu Dam, upriver from the town of Dujiangyan, Sichuan, China.
This Sept. 14, 2007 picture released by GeoEye Satellite Image shows the Zipingpu Dam, upriver from the town of Dujiangyan, Sichuan, China.   (AP Photo/GeoEye Satellite Image)
In this image from video, a young woman holding an infant walks from a cloud of dust during a powerful earthquake in a mountain reserve outside Chengdu, China, Monday May 12, 2008.
In this image from video, a young woman holding an infant walks from a cloud of dust during a powerful earthquake in a mountain reserve outside Chengdu, China, Monday May 12, 2008.   (AP Photo/APTN, John Dkar)
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