A breach happened to the dam of Bayi Reservoir in Wujiaqu City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on January 22, the New Year's Day according to Chinese lunar calendar. Several companies of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps were dispatched immediately to do the rescue work. By now, all 13,800 endangered residents have been evacuated and are properly accommodated. No casualties have been reported though the waters submerged eight companies of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corporation (XPCC).
The dam leakages started in the afternoon of January 21.
A 60-meter-wide breach in the reservoir dike is being narrowed thanks to efforts by over 2,000 soldiers, armed police and militia in the past two days.
By 10 pm on Friday, the water gushed out from the reservoir, known as "Bayi" or "August 1," at a slower speed of 30 cu m per second, and the water level in the reservoir fell to 2.4 m, said Zhang Qingli, Commander of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corporation (XPCC).
"The situation is brought under control," said Zhang.
