Diversion channel planned for lake

MIANYANG, Sichuan: In low visibility, helicopters yesterday airdropped bulldozers and excavators to dig a diversion channel for a quake lake in Beichuan county.

Diggers were using a dozen of the heavy machines to divert water from the swelling Tangjiashan lake - formed when a river was blocked after landslides - and prevent flooding downstream.

An 1,800-strong force, including PLA soldiers and armed police each carrying 10 kg of dynamite, are already on the scene. They plan to blast a channel if the excavators are not able to.