By Prensa Latina,
Beijing : Chinese authorities ordered the evacuation of nearly 1.3 million people to higher places foreseeing the possible overflow of the Tangjianshan dam, in the province of Sichuan.
Until Thursday, the reservoir had 130 million cubic meters of water, which could sweep away the nearby population.
For several days, engineers and military forces using heavy equipment have been trying to open a canal to alleviate the pressure of the water.
The evacuation order was given by Tan Li, secretary of the Chinese Communist Party in Mianyang city.
Authorities said the heavy rains in the zone since Wednesday night have dangerously increased the water level.
Hundreds of thousands of residents near the Jianjang River would be in danger if the wall bursts.