A flood caused by an ice run on the Ili River in northwest
China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was brought under control
early Monday morning, and a dike is being built along the river to
prevent more flooding.
On Monday morning, several hundred people began breaking and
clearing up ice and dredging the river course.
Flooding, caused by an ice run, occurred on the section of the
Ili River in the Xibo Autonomous County of Qapqal last Friday,
affecting more than 1,400 people and damaging houses. Floodwater
destroyed some 300 tons of rice and fodder, and some chickens and
lambs froze to death in the icy waters, rescuers said.
The local government has relocated affected residents and
dispatched 100 tons of coal and 10 tons of flour to villages. Water
and electricity supplies have been maintained.
The local civil affairs department said another flood in the
area was a distinct possibility.
(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2006)
