Sichuan evacuates 17,000 from barrier lake

CHENGDU -- A total of 17,307 people have been evacuated as water levels continued to rise in a landslide-formed lake in southwest China's Sichuan Province, local authorities said Saturday.

The government of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture said the lake, formed by mud blocking the Jinsha River, had inundated a farmhouse and a suspension bridge in the Jinsha Township.

Moreover, 52 pasture buildings, as well as farms and roads, suffered damages, while 25 families' houses, the township government, school and clinic are under the threat of flood, officials said.

The township said it had mobilized 150 people to go door-to-door checking for any villagers remaining in threatened areas.

A landslide led to the formation of a barrier lake on the river on October 11. Water levels returned to normal on October 14 with no casualties reported before a second landslide blocked the river again on November 3.