Blast 1st step to discharge lake formed after tremor

Project to dig out flood relief channel; authorities say risks 'under control'

Floodwaters in a barrier lake formed after Sunday's earthquake in Yunnan province will be discharged within two days after an explosion is set off in the debris barrier, a police official in charge of the explosion said on Thursday.

"We have carved out a simple road leading to the barrage and the collapsed part of the mountains on the sides, allowing our machines to go in," said Liu Ge, from the water and electricity section of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force. Liu is responsible for carrying out the explosion at the barrier lake.