The water level at the Tangjiashan quake lake rose to 742.96 meters above sea level by 8 pm Monday, a rise of 1.6 meters in 24 hours. The sluice appears to be operating smoothly and drainage has increased to about 81 cubic meters per second.

Because of these blasts, the sluice channel is getting wider and deeper, and the water is flowing faster.

On Monday, soldiers fired more than 10 shells to clear blockages, allowing faster drainage through the channel.

Because of these blasts, the sluice channel is getting wider and deeper, and the water is flowing faster.

Liu Ning, senior engineer of Ministry of Water Resources, said, "We are making efforts to reduce water levels in upper reaches of the river. This helps reduce the risk of bursting and other threats at Tangjiashan lake."

The drainage sluice appears to be operating smoothly. But after two days of drainage, the water level at Tangjiashan lake continues to rise and the risk of catastrophe remains high.

Chen says the water level should go down in the coming days, but the lake is still dangerous. The danger of the dam collapsing remains as the drainage operation continues.

Geologists are examining the structure of the natural dam. Monitoring system run around the clock to enhance observation.

Three tons of dynamite were used on Sunday and Monday to blast boulders --and to increase the width of the channel from less than 5 meters on Saturday to 10 meters Monday.

Below the dam, more than 20 bulldozers and at least 100 armed police officers have been carving out a new spillway for three days, hoping to further accelerate the drainage.

(CCTV June 10, 2008)