Tibet Reports Structural Issues at Hydropower Dams Following Earthquake
Following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake, Chinese authorities in Tibet reported problems at five hydropower dams, resulting in the evacuation of around 1,500 people. Structural damage includes tilted walls at a dam in Tingri, prompting immediate emergency actions such as drainage and monitoring of the affected facilities. This seismic event underscores the risks associated with hydropower development in quake-vulnerable areas.
Chinese officials in Tibet have reported structural issues at five out of fourteen inspected hydropower dams, following a magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck the region last week. An emergency management official revealed that three of the affected dams have been drained, while monitoring devices have been deployed at one dam that is also undergoing drainage. The earthquake has also led to the evacuation of approximately 1,500 individuals from six villages downstream due to tilting walls at a hydrodam in Tingri, the epicenter of the quake.
This incident occurs in the context of ongoing seismic activity in southwestern China, Nepal, and northern India due to the tectonic collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates. The region is notably vulnerable to earthquakes, which pose significant risks to infrastructure such as hydropower dams. Previous seismic events, including a massive earthquake in Nepal in 2015, have caused substantial damage to hydroelectric facilities, disrupting energy supply and exacerbating risks associated with slope failures and landslides.
The reported issues at the dams highlight the inherent risks associated with the hydropower industry’s expansion in earthquake-prone areas. With at least 126 fatalities and significant property damage from the recent quake, the situation serves as a critical reminder of the vulnerabilities related to hydropower infrastructure in such regions.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
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