Uncategorized

Sichuan hydropower project damaged by quake

The devastating earthquake that hit southwest China on Monday caused severe cracks in the dam at the Zipingpu hydropower plant, state media reported on Wednesday. The 7.9 magnitude quake is now reported to have killed nearly 15,000 people.

The plant and associated buildings have collapsed, the report said, adding some of the buildings had "partly sunk". The whole installation is now out of commission, according to the Sichuan provincial government.

Located on the upper Min River, the Zipingpu hydropower project, which came on line in 2006, was one of the first 10 landmark projects of China’s Western Development Plan, the report said.

See full story