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Iraq’s Biggest Dam Could Collapse at Any Time, Killing Thousands Iraq’s Biggest Dam Could Collapse at Any Time, Killing Thousands
(1 day later)
American officials in Baghdad are warning that a critical dam in northern Iraq may collapse, and that more than a million people could be drowned or left homeless if it gives way.American officials in Baghdad are warning that a critical dam in northern Iraq may collapse, and that more than a million people could be drowned or left homeless if it gives way.
A: The dam, the largest in Iraq, controls the flow of the Tigris River north of Mosul. It can hold up to three trillion gallons of water and supplies electricity to more than a million people.A: The dam, the largest in Iraq, controls the flow of the Tigris River north of Mosul. It can hold up to three trillion gallons of water and supplies electricity to more than a million people.
A: The dam was built in 1984 on a bed of gypsum, a soft mineral that dissolves easily in water. To stop the dam from leaking and being undermined, engineers have to continuously pump grout into it. That work was stopped when Islamic State fighters seized the dam in 2014; though the government retook it within two weeks, many of the dam’s engineers did not return and regular maintenance did not resume.A: The dam was built in 1984 on a bed of gypsum, a soft mineral that dissolves easily in water. To stop the dam from leaking and being undermined, engineers have to continuously pump grout into it. That work was stopped when Islamic State fighters seized the dam in 2014; though the government retook it within two weeks, many of the dam’s engineers did not return and regular maintenance did not resume.
A: Anyone who lives on or near the banks of the river — in other words, a major chunk of the Iraqi population. The United States Embassy estimates that hundreds of thousands of people who are “at highest risk from the projected floodwave probably would not survive its impact,” and that more than one million would swiftly find themselves without homes. The city of Mosul could be flooded by 45 feet of water in less than four hours, and ultimately as much as 70 feet; even far downstream in Baghdad, the river could rise 13 feet within a day of a dam collapse.A: Anyone who lives on or near the banks of the river — in other words, a major chunk of the Iraqi population. The United States Embassy estimates that hundreds of thousands of people who are “at highest risk from the projected floodwave probably would not survive its impact,” and that more than one million would swiftly find themselves without homes. The city of Mosul could be flooded by 45 feet of water in less than four hours, and ultimately as much as 70 feet; even far downstream in Baghdad, the river could rise 13 feet within a day of a dam collapse.
A: Not yet. Diplomats are not saying the collapse is imminent. What they are urging Americans to do, “out of an abundance of caution,” is to avoid areas within three miles of the river and have a plan in case of emergency. “The embassy would be extremely limited in its ability to assist in the event of a crisis,” it said in a statement.A: Not yet. Diplomats are not saying the collapse is imminent. What they are urging Americans to do, “out of an abundance of caution,” is to avoid areas within three miles of the river and have a plan in case of emergency. “The embassy would be extremely limited in its ability to assist in the event of a crisis,” it said in a statement.
A: The Iraqi government and the United Nations are working on an emergency plan to warn the population if the dam is breached. An Italian company, Trevi, was given a $2 billion contract in December to repair the dam, but the work will take 18 months. The Italian government has promised to send 450 troops to guard it while repairs are made. A: The Iraqi government and the United Nations are working on an emergency plan to warn the population if the dam is breached. On Wednesday, an Italian company, Trevi, signed a $2 billion to repair the dam, but the work will take 18 months. The Italian government has promised to send 450 troops to guard it while repairs are made.