Millions Without Water

[-Tigger-]

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0...467576,00.html

Millions Without Water
Updated: 15:38, Wednesday November 23, 2005



Millions of people in one of China's biggest cities are without water after a major river was polluted by an explosion at a chemical plant.

The incident, at a factory in the northeastern province of Jilin, has sparked fears of pollution as far as neighbouring Russia.

Huge quantities of highly toxic benzene poured into the 1,200-mile long Songhua river after the blast.

China's Environment Protection Administration said benzene levels were 108 times above safety limits.

The contaminated water is expected to reach Harbin, about 240 miles away, on Thursday evening.

It has been estimated it will take two days to pass through.

Some schools and businesses have closed and flights out of the city are reportedly sold out.

Officials are also on alert in Russian towns further down the river.

More than 16,000 tons of drinking water is being taken to Harbin by lorries, although this is less than residents use in a single day.

The Songhua is the main source of drinking water for around a third of the city's nine million population.

Officials have promised to restore Harbin's water supply within days but experts doubt this will be possible.

[Hellfighter]

man thats sad.
hope the people be ok there.

[DevilDog#1]

Next BIG war will be on clear water ...

[BADDOG]

I've heard about this BB and it sounds truly awful I certainly hope those folks will be ok over there.....

Warm Regards

[Terry]

tis a sad situation... and dd ya never know, there could well be.... lets hope not!