The slow discharge of water from the Tangjiashan quake lake officially began today. Around 1:50 AM, water flowing out of the quake lake passed through the first water conservancy facility along the discharge route - Tongkou hydropower station - and a loud rumbling sound could be heard on site.
At around 11:30 AM today, I learned from the Beichuan earthquake relief headquarters that due to good weather conditions today, helicopters have already transported large excavators to their designated positions at the Tangjiashan quake lake.
According to the headquarters, today's work focuses mainly on digging, with small-scale blasting used in conjunction. Today also marks the official opening of a drainage channel from the dam of the Tangjiashan quake lake, allowing for a slow discharge of water downstream in order to relieve pressure on the quake lake's water level.
The headquarters stated that the discharge is being carried out under the guidance of Chinese and foreign water conservancy experts, with strict control over the volume of water flow so as not to pose a threat to areas downstream.
Meanwhile, I observed at the Tongkou hydropower station that this is the first water conservancy facility along the discharge route of the Tangjiashan quake lake. It can help mitigate the impact force of the flood peak, acting as the first barrier.
In accordance with requirements, the Tongkou hydropower station has already emptied all its water reserves and is ready to receive the upstream discharge at any time.