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Iraq: heavy rainfall increases fear of Mosul dam collapse

Iraqi authorities warned on Thursday of the likelihood of a catastrophic collapse of the country’s largest hydro-electric dam due to torrential rainfall. The dam, near the northern city of Mosul, was built in the 1980s on a soft gypsum layer on the Tigris river. It is is in desperate need of repairs to avoid disasters, […]

Mina Aldroubi writes for The National:

Iraqi authorities warned on Thursday of the likelihood of a catastrophic collapse of the country’s largest hydro-electric dam due to torrential rainfall.

The dam, near the northern city of Mosul, was built in the 1980s on a soft gypsum layer on the Tigris river. It is is in desperate need of repairs to avoid disasters, experts told The National.

“The dam cannot hold any more water, so an amount must be released leading to an increase in the water levels of the Tigris River, or the dam will collapse,” a statement by the dam’s administration said.