The story

Chinese soldiers and engineers have completed a spillway from an earthquake-created lake that was threatening to burst its banks in the central county of Beichuan, state-run news agency Xinhua reported Sunday.

Meanwhile, a military helicopter carrying 10 people injured in the earthquake and four crew members crashed Saturday afternoon in Wenchuan County, state media reported. The helicopter encountered turbulence and fog before the crash. There was no word on injuries or fatalities, and a search and rescue operation was underway, Xinhua reported.

Tangjiashan Lake was created when a landslide caused by the earthquake dammed Jianjiang River, threatening quake-hit communities downstream.

Authorities were concerned that the lake could burst its banks or that another aftershock or earthquake could rupture the earthen dam and cause a sudden flood of water on the communities downstream.

Workers hope the spillway will allow the water to bypass Beichuan town. Read full article »

CNN's Wilf Dinnick and Samson Desta contributed to this report.

All About ChinaSichuan Province

Don't Miss

Don't Miss