Floods Test China's Three Gorges Dam

Heavy rains across southern China is pushing the Three Gorges Dam to the limit. Concerns are growing over whether the massive dam can control flooding on the Yangtze River. Water levels in the dam have reached their highest since 1998, forcing the evacuation of thousands.

China's massive Three Gorges dam may overflow as torrential rains swell the rivers that feed it.

According to state-run media, the flow of water to the giant reservoir on the Yangtze River reached its peak on Tuesday morning. The water level in the dam was even higher than in 1998 when devastating floods killed over 4,000 people and forced some 18 million to relocate.

The water level in the dam had reached 500 feet, 82 feet short of its maximum capacity.

Environmentalists warn the reservoir could turn into a cesspool of sewage and chemicals or silt up.

Much of southern China has been suffering flooding and landslides after weeks of torrential downpours. Thousands of people have been evacuated along the Yangtze and its tributaries as water flooded cities and villages alike.

At least 146 people have died since the start of this month as a result of the rains, and another 40 are missing.

Altogether over 38 million people have been affected and more than 1.3 million have had to be evacuated.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• rain
• Yangtze
• River
• evacuation
• Environmentalists
• sewage
• chemicals
• landslides

[cliftymike]

@700gsteak think it's implied that the inflow is still greater than the outflow when they make it news that it may overflow. you don't have to put a degree in math to work on it when the water level is rising and the relief valves are open. kinda like the tub won't drain as much as the faucet will put in it. it will overflow, ya know?

[Tlboyd1989]

This is what happens when man try's to control nature. mother nature will take back what's hers and show man she is still the boss and always will be

[Mikdeelo]

@JaoquinQ ;D

[JaoquinQ]

@Mikdeelo I'm pretty sure he's European.

[Mikdeelo]

Newsman, make up your mind!

It's China, not Chiner and river, not rivah!

Spake fockin' Aenglesh!!!

(I'm American where we've not spoke english for centuries, LOL!)

[sangolite]

The three gorges dam had prevented flood in downriver Yangtze in 2009/2010 otherwise damages caused are unaccountable.Again it had lessened damages in the 2011 floods which recorded the highest rainfall for the last fifty years.

[antidoteco]

@lenoirberg what the heck is wrong with you - you make me sick

[lenoirberg]

BOMB DAM

[andreaprodan]

OK.

These enormous resevoirs go against nature's natural system against downpours. many smaller rivers take the brunt, and spread the water over a large area. But these dams and reservoirs drain ALL the water to one huge pressure-point. Highly dangerous!!! Man fucks things up yet again!

[hangemhigh2000]

That's more power than BP could even dream about. It's just government propaganda for the weak minded mental ill. Like the engineer Obama comment below. Hope your parents teacher put you in charge to. Don't forget the engineers rule. ;) Less you put yourself for sale on creepy Cragslist.