Race to rescue China's second-largest freshwater lake from dam collapse

The 14.3-kilometer-long embankment, considered a “second line of defense,” is located about 2 kilometers from the breached dike. Local inspectors said the task was difficult because the embankment is not as strong as the dike and has not been used to block water since 1996. Reinforcing the embankment is expected to take four days, according to engineering firm China Anneng Group.

Rescue workers have cleared obstacles at the foot of the embankment and are preparing to place sandbags for reinforcement.

Dongting Lake in Tuanzhou Town, Huarong District, Yueyang City. About 10 meters of the lake's embankment broke on the afternoon of July 5, but the breach later widened. The affected area near Tuanbei Village covers an area of ​​about 50 square kilometers. This area had a previous embankment breach in 1996.

Since noon on July 6, the dike breach has caused more water to flood in, endangering the embankment. As of 2:40 p.m. local time, the water levels inside and outside the breach have become equal and the water flow has slowed. 5,000 residents in the affected area have been safely evacuated. There is currently no information about trapped people or casualties.

According to Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is on a foreign trip, has ordered the mobilization of all rescue forces to protect people's lives and property after the dike breach.

For his part, Premier Li Qiang ordered all-out efforts to resolve the emergency, control the situation, arrange suitable accommodation for those affected, and strengthen patrols of reservoirs and embankments.

The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Administration, the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Emergency Management have dispatched working groups to the scene. Officials from the Hunan provincial government and Yueyang city have arrived at the scene to direct the emergency response.

Since June 16, Hunan province has suffered the heaviest rains this year.