China warns of 'urgent problems' facing Three Gorges dam

[Roland99]

Source: The Guardian (UK)

Risk of geological disaster, state cabinet admits, as project is linked to soil erosion, quakes, drought and social upheaval

In a statement approved by prime minister Wen Jiabao, the state council said the dam had pressing geological, human and ecological problems. The report also acknowledged for the first time the negative impact the dam has had on downstream river transport and water supplies.

...

Since the 1.5 mile barrier was completed in 2006 the reservoir has been plagued by algae and pollution that would previously have been flushed away.

The weight of the extra water has also been blamed for tremors, landslides and erosion of slopes.

To ease these threats the government said last year many more people may have to be relocated. This week it promised to establish disaster warning systems, reinforce riverbanks, boost funding for environmental protection and improve benefits for the displaced.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/20/three-gorges-dam-china-warning

[aquart]

1. It's going to crack wide open real soon?

Or am I reading too much into this?

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Seems their concern is becoming louder.

First there were whispers, then murmurings of potential problems, now there are discussions and warnings.

[Roland99]

4. What's Mandarin for "No one could have anticipated...."

[Angry Dragon]

5. Damn??

[elehhhhna]

9. IIRC, it's a shrug.

[aquart]

7. And RELOCATIONS.

This is all sounding so Fukushimaish.

[abelenkpe]

3. Wait a minute

"To ease these threats the government said last year many more people may have to be relocated. This week it promised to establish disaster warning systems, reinforce riverbanks, boost funding for environmental protection and improve benefits for the displaced."

Working on infrastructure? Funding environmental protection? Establishing warning systems? Funding and benefits for displaced people?

I guess China doesn't have to deal with the teaparty.

[Igel]

8. Speech acts are not real acts. n/t

[madrchsod]

6. anyone with a brain knew this was going to happen...

mother earth will not be denied

[DeSwiss]

12. Bingo!

:thumbsup:

K&R

[Vidar]

10. But what could possibly go wrong with a dam the size of the Himalayas?

[Gormy Cuss]

11. Three Gorges Dam never should have been built.

The risks were known before the construction started.