China warns of dam collapses due to rain in quake zone
Posted: 16 May 2008 1602 hrs

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BEIJING: China's government is drawing up evacuation plans amid concerns that dams in areas hit by this week's earthquake could collapse if rain there persists, state media reported Friday.

The Ministry of Land and Natural Resources has ordered local governments in southwestern China to draw up plans to evacuate residents, the China Business News reported, amid forecasts of showers in the area.

The risk is particularly acute in devastated areas of Sichuan province such as Wenchuan and Beichuan counties near the earthquake epicentre, it said.

"Due to the serious disaster situation in Wenchuan, Beichuan and surrounding areas, the hidden dangers going forward are great," it quoted ministry experts as saying.

The government warned on Thursday of "dangerous situations" at more than 400 reservoirs in southwestern China following the quake, according to state media reports.

China's top economic planning agency said Friday it had allocated 53 million yuan (7.6 million US dollars) in emergency funds to assess and repair damaged dams and reservoirs, Xinhua news agency said. - AFP/ac