China Blows Up 'Quake Lakes'

PlusChina Blows Up 'Quake Lakes'China Blows Up 'Quake Lakes'The Associated PressOfficials in China are trying to use explosives to drain massive lakes that have formed since the earthquake last month. (June 6)China is going to some extreme measures to drain some lakes formed by last month's earthquake.(pause for nat sound of explosion)Crews there are blowing up dams that have been formed by landslides and debris.These newly formed bodies of water, called 'quake lakes,' are posing a major threat to cities, towns and refugees living below them.The hope is that these explosions will create spillways that will help drain the lakes in a controlled manner.The massive May 12th quake created about 30 of these lakes, putting about a million people in jeopardy downstream of them.Soldiers have also been deepening diversion channels to help drain the waters.Officials are also destroying some badly damaged buildings along these lakes.There are fears that those made homeless by the earthquake will take refuge in the unstable structures. ___ ___, The Associated Press.

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• china
• earthquake
• blows
• up
• 'quake
• lakes'