The Campotosto dam in Abruzzo is
under observation after the recent seismic activity in the area
but there is no reason for alarm, top emergency official
Immacolata 'Titti' Postiglione said Monday.
Postiglione, director of the emergencies department of the
Civil Protection, added that the dam had already undergone
assessments after the 2009 earthquake that killed over 300
people, devastating l'Aquila and surrounding towns and villages.
"There is a procedure that requires checks after earthquakes,
and this has occurred every time. The alarm generated after
certain statements by the head of the Major Risks Commission
reminds us that there is a problem and that we must continue to
watch these critical spots," she said.
She went on to note that "theoretically, if it had to be
emptied immediately this would lead to major effects", but "as
the commission said, there is no immediate alarm. (Power
company) ENEL intends to move forward with further emptying of
what has entered the dam as part of this emergency situation".
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Graziano Delrio said
later dam managers in quake-hit areas had been told to keep a
close eye on the structures even though they had not reported
any problems.
He said checks were made every two years by law but they
would be made more frequently after quakes.
"The dam managers have reported the absence of significant
critical factors but they have been invited to always keep their
guard very high given the frequency of seismic events," he said
after three recent five-magnitude quakes in Abruzzo raised
concern over the Campotosto dam.
Experts said Monday dams were built with seven-magnitude
quakes in mind, and other officials said Campotosto was quite
safe after an initial alert.
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