Sluices Dug to Discharge Water from Reservoir
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In China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, two sluices have been dug to discharge water from a reservoir to prevent it from bursting. The reservoir dam was in danger of collapsing after several days of heavy rainfall.
The Kama Reservoir in Luocheng County was overflowing with its water level dangerously high at over two hundred meters.
In a bid to resolve the situation,two sluices, each 15 meters wide and 10 meters deep, were opened on Sunday to discharge some water from the reservoir.
The process has so far proved effective. And more sluices will be opened at a later stage to speed up the discharge of water.
The heavy rainfall began to subside on Sunday in parts of Guangxi. But local authorities are warning of possible flooding as the water levels of some local rivers remain high. Experts also say the reservoir dam is still in danger of bursting.
More than 15,000 people living downstream have been evacuated by an emergency squad of 6,000 rescuers.
The evacuation comes after the sudden heavy flow of water destroyed a 13-meter section of a dyke near the dam base of the Kama reservoir.
The evacuees have received temporary shelter and relief supplies.
(CCTV July 6, 2009)