(June 5, 2009) When the Sichuan province was rocked by a massive 7.9-magnitude earthquake last year, many scientists and government leaders were caught off guard. Previous studies by geologists stated that while the area—on the surface—appeared to be seismically active, their research showed otherwise.
UN says China dams threaten water supplies to Mekong delta farmers
(May 28, 2009) China’s construction of big hydro-power dams on the Mekong River will be a great threat to the future of the river, a significant water source for Southeast Asia, a United Nations report said. Senior experts analysed the impacts on Vietnam’s Mekong River Delta.
Three Gorges Power Corp admits hydro dams too costly
(May 23, 2009) China Three Gorges Project Corporation vice-general manager has made a stunning admission: Relocating people and protecting the environment has made large-scale hydro projects too costly to warrant further investment.
More landslides in the Three Gorges Dam area
(May 19, 2009) Dramatic images of the moutainside after a landslide in the Three Gorges dam area dumps around 20,000 cubic meters of rock and mud into the Yangtze River.
China’s government wants to be better prepared for natural disasters
(May 11, 2009) The first anniversary of the Sichuan earthquake that killed almost 90,000 people has prompted the Chinese government to go on a PR offensive. It’s preparing to release a white paper outlining steps to increase public-preparedness and warning systems for natural disasters.
China launches public campaign to counter disasters on quake anniversary
(May 10, 2009) China needs stronger steps to promote public preparedness and early warning systems for natural disasters, experts said ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Wenchuan earthquake.
Dams & Earthquakes
(May 6, 2009) People involved in the design, construction and operation of large dams are normally particularly sensitive to earthquakes.
China says planning more dams on troubled Yangtze
(April 21, 2009) China will build at least 20 more reservoirs or hydroelectric projects in the Yangtze river system by 2020, the government said Tuesday, despite growing concerns over dam construction there.
28,000 more moved from China Three Gorges area
(April 17, 2009) Landslides and mudflows caused by rising and falling waters behind China’s gigantic Three Gorges Dam has forced the relocation of over 28,000 people since September, state press said Friday.
Three Gorges dam faces 14.5-billion-dollar cost overrun
(April 16, 2009) China’s Three Gorges Dam, due to be completed in November, is getting bigger every day on all fronts. While officially the government said it has spent 180 billion yuan (26.35 billion dollars) on building the 185-metre dam and a reservoir stretching more than 600 kilometres, local critics and foreign observers said the real figure could be more than twice that amount, and that’s just in the construction phase.
Three Gorges landslide threat worsens
(April 14, 2009) The threat of a massive landslide has prompted government authorities to issue an emergency warning to boat operators plying the Three Gorges reservoir, according to Chinese news sources.
Chinese displaced by Three Gorges Dam protest
(March 4, 2009) More than 2,000 people displaced by construction of the Three Gorges Dam clashed with police in central China during a protest Wednesday over missing resettlement payments, leaving 30 protesters injured, a Hong Kong-based group said.
FACT SHEET: Earthquake Fatalities High in 2008
(January 6, 2009) The number of earthquake-related fatalities across the world was much higher in 2008 than in recent years.
Beijing officials downplay Three Gorges landslide threat
(December 4, 2008) In a delayed response to two major landslides in the Three Gorges reservoir last month, officials in Beijing now say the slides pose no danger to local residents or shipping, and that natural factors triggered the landslides, not the filling of the Three Gorges dam’s reservoir.
Major landslides hit Three Gorges region
(December 1, 2008) On November 29, a major landslide hit Wu Gorge, one of the deepest canyons upstream of the Three Gorges dam on the Yangtze River, Xinhua reported on December 1.
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