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Mass evacuation from quake lake | Mass evacuation from quake lake |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Almost 160,000 people have now been evacuated from areas below a rising "quake lake" in Sichuan province, Chinese state media say. | Almost 160,000 people have now been evacuated from areas below a rising "quake lake" in Sichuan province, Chinese state media say. |
Experts fear Tangjiashan lake, formed in the 12 May earthquake when a landslide blocked a river, could burst its barrier and deluge the area. | Experts fear Tangjiashan lake, formed in the 12 May earthquake when a landslide blocked a river, could burst its barrier and deluge the area. |
Chinese leaders say tackling the newly formed lake and dozens like it is now the "most pressing" task. | Chinese leaders say tackling the newly formed lake and dozens like it is now the "most pressing" task. |
The death toll from the devastating earthquake now stands at 67,183. | The death toll from the devastating earthquake now stands at 67,183. |
Another 20,790 people are listed as missing and more than five million people are homeless. | Another 20,790 people are listed as missing and more than five million people are homeless. |
In pictures: Lake evacuation | |
Aftershocks are continuing to rock the region, and on Tuesday 63 people were injured, including six critically, in Qingchuan county, Xinhua news agency said. | Aftershocks are continuing to rock the region, and on Tuesday 63 people were injured, including six critically, in Qingchuan county, Xinhua news agency said. |
The aftershocks, coupled with heavy rain, are hampering relief efforts. | The aftershocks, coupled with heavy rain, are hampering relief efforts. |
According to Chinese media, a total of 158,000 people have now been evacuated from potentially vulnerable areas downstream from Tangjiashan lake. | According to Chinese media, a total of 158,000 people have now been evacuated from potentially vulnerable areas downstream from Tangjiashan lake. |
class="bodl" href="#lake">Click here to see an annotated image of the area | |
The lake's water level is rising by more than one metre per day. | The lake's water level is rising by more than one metre per day. |
Liu Ning, chief engineer of the Ministry of Water Resources, says it now holds as much water as 50,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. | Liu Ning, chief engineer of the Ministry of Water Resources, says it now holds as much water as 50,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. |
If the water bursts through the natural barrier of rock and earth, more than one million people may have to be relocated, China Daily said. | If the water bursts through the natural barrier of rock and earth, more than one million people may have to be relocated, China Daily said. |
Hundreds of troops and engineers have been using earth-moving equipment to dig a channel in a bid to drain the water. | Hundreds of troops and engineers have been using earth-moving equipment to dig a channel in a bid to drain the water. |
On Tuesday, Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu visited the lake to observe work there. | On Tuesday, Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu visited the lake to observe work there. |
"It is threatening millions of lives in the area downstream and any negligence will cause new disasters to people who have already suffered the quake," he said. | "It is threatening millions of lives in the area downstream and any negligence will cause new disasters to people who have already suffered the quake," he said. |
More than 30 similar lakes were formed by the earthquake two weeks ago. | More than 30 similar lakes were formed by the earthquake two weeks ago. |
On Wednesday, the government allocated 200m yuan ($29m, £14.5m) to making the "quake lakes" safe, Xinhua said. name="lake"> Thousands are under threat if the water spills over from the 'quake lake' |